Blooming? December ‘09 – Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day
Winter is the time northern gardeners really look forward to Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, the brainchild of Carol at May Dreams Gardens. Once snow falls, northern gardeners tend to 
survive on indoor blooms, and unless lucky enough to have a greenhouse, these bloom can be quite sparse. I'm still in the process of decorating for Christmas – why rush these things, I still have 10 more days – so my Bloom Day photos are sparse this month also.
My parent holiday cactus was in its glory last month. Now, its teenager is just beginning to sprout. For the photo here, I paired it with the one last gerbera blossom from the plants overwintering in my garage. Together, they offer a nice contrast to the view of the first cold snowfall outside, don't you think?
I'm increasingly thankful for my Ilex splurge this fall. The view from the breakfast nook will be so much more pleasant with Madame meserveae 'Blue Maid' grabbing the eye while her shorter cousins crenata 'Helleri' rest nearby.
And Madame Ilex verticillata 'Winter Red' looks pretty much the same as she did when captured by my camera in November … except now her bright red berries have a snowy white backdrop.
I hope you enjoy the view from Connecticut – green is so much greener when surrounded by snow.
Now head off to May Dreams Gardens to see what lucky folks in warmer climes have blooming in their gardens – till spring bulbs burst up from Connecticut soils, I'll have to get some of my flower-fixes from photos there.
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17 comments
8 months and 27 days ago
Joene,
Happy Bloom Day. The berries on your hollies look so bright and colorful. Isn't it funny how 'Blue Maid' fits in during every season? She looks so wintery now but will look equally at home during the heat of the summer. I'd love to have a few but the deer will eat them so I'll have to enjoy yours in your photos. I'm looking forward to seeing her again next month!
8 months and 27 days ago
Joene, love your ilex. Even without berries they have a quiet majesty that is so beautiful in the garden.
We use a ton of the decidious ilex at the flower shop this time of year. I think that I should get some for my own garden.
8 months and 27 days ago
Thanks, Debbie. Perhaps next month I'll have a photo of a snow enhanced Ilex - and you noticed mine is within a sturdy fence. I wonder if the deer will try to reach it throught the fence. Time will tell.
8 months and 27 days ago
Deborah, even with my many Ilex shrubs still small I save pruning chores until early December so I can use the cuttings on holiday decorations. I agree that Ilex have a quiet majesty ... I hope to add to my small collection next season.
8 months and 27 days ago
Joene, thanks for visiting my blog. I'll remember to come back to yours--so I can live vicariously through your garden posts. I do not have a green thumb, but I do love pretty flowers and lush gardens. And wish I had more time to learn the gift of growing them. My neighbor does, and I'm always over at her house admiring her handiwork.
8 months and 27 days ago
Jackie ... feel free to visit any time. Thanks.
8 months and 27 days ago
Very nice berries. Something my garden is lacking.
8 months and 27 days ago
The Gerbera daisy with the Christmas cactus is just wonderful, symbolic of Christmas in the garden. Happy bloom day.
8 months and 26 days ago
Who needs flowers? Your ilex are lovely!
8 months and 26 days ago
I saw some very red rose hips in your GBBD post, Dan. Your photos are lovely.
8 months and 26 days ago
Thanks, Nell Jean. You really appreciate the small things when so little is blooming.
8 months and 26 days ago
Thanks, Deborah E. I know I'm going to enjoy my Ilex all winter.
8 months and 25 days ago
How utterly lovely. The berries and the shiny green must have been designed with snow in mind. Wouldn't quite look the same here in the sand...
8 months and 25 days ago
I love the berries on your Holly - thats one plant I don't have in my garden - btw welcome to Blotanical - I joined after you. You're welcome at my scottish blogosphere anytime.
8 months and 25 days ago
Good point, Ulrike. But gardeners in Dubai can grow things New Englanders can only grow indoors.
8 months and 25 days ago
And, leavesnbloom, welcome to you. Thanks for stopping by here. I love the GBBD photos you posted.
8 months and 25 days ago
Thankyou too for the visit and the fave. I've not got around to even doing much of that sort of thing on blotanical yet. I've just realised that thats snow surrounding your ilex!
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