Welcome to Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day for December 2011.
Here in my USDA Hardiness Zone 5b garden in central Indiana, I'd expect by now to have a scene like this one from December 2010, when there was snow on the ground and the temperatures were consistently below freezing.
But as they say, that was then and this is now and nothing is ever the same, even though from year to to year we think it is.
There are always differences. Sometimes the differences are slight and you don't notice them, like a little leaf that falls from a tree onto the lawn. Sometimes the differences are so big they smack you in the face, like a low hanging limb across a garden path, so there is no way not to notice them.
This year is quite different from last year, like that low hanging limb. It's been warmer all month, except for a day or two, and we've had no measurable snow fall. Yesterday, temperatures were in the high 50's and then it rained.
But regardless of the weather or maybe because of the weather, I have a new plant that actually, truly is blooming outside in December. I'm pretty excited about it.
May I introduce you to the one and only bloom that I can find in my garden in December?
Commonly called the Christmas Rose, this is Helleborus niger 'Josef Lemper'.
I just planted it this fall, so it is still a young 'un but it has several buds on it.
According to Skagit Gardens, who sent me this plant to try in my garden, it is hardy to Zone 4 and blooms from December through February. By the way, it looks droopy in the picture only because when I had an opportunity to photograph it in daylight, it was weighed over with a heavy frost. Normally, it is quite perky for a winter plant.
With this plant in my garden, I may finally, actually, fulfill the quote from Elizabeth Lawrence, "We can have blooms nearly every month of the year".
No more will December find me taking pictures of dried up roses and skeletons of flowers gone to seed. No more will January and February find me hunting for flowers only inside. Now I'll have something blooming outside, too.
This hellebore means that winter is now a whole new flowering season with new possibilities, at least in my garden.
What about your garden? Are you snow covered or still enjoying outdoor blooms?
Whatever your circumstances and however your garden looks during these December days, I hope you’ll join us for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day this month.
All are welcome!
It's easy to participate. Just post on your blog about what is blooming in your garden on the 15th of the month and then leave a link in the ‘Mr. Linky’ widget below, plus a comment to give us a hint as to what we might find in your garden in December.
“We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” – Elizabeth Lawrence
Update December 16.
Thank you to all who participated in bloom day. You all help make the 15th of the month a special day. You also help show that December has more blooms than many of us thought.
My hellebore turns out to be much prettier and sturdier and photogenic than I ever thought, especially today. Here's an updated picture.
Thank you again to all who join in every month for bloom day.
Here in my USDA Hardiness Zone 5b garden in central Indiana, I'd expect by now to have a scene like this one from December 2010, when there was snow on the ground and the temperatures were consistently below freezing.
But as they say, that was then and this is now and nothing is ever the same, even though from year to to year we think it is.
There are always differences. Sometimes the differences are slight and you don't notice them, like a little leaf that falls from a tree onto the lawn. Sometimes the differences are so big they smack you in the face, like a low hanging limb across a garden path, so there is no way not to notice them.
This year is quite different from last year, like that low hanging limb. It's been warmer all month, except for a day or two, and we've had no measurable snow fall. Yesterday, temperatures were in the high 50's and then it rained.
But regardless of the weather or maybe because of the weather, I have a new plant that actually, truly is blooming outside in December. I'm pretty excited about it.
May I introduce you to the one and only bloom that I can find in my garden in December?
![]() |
Helleborus niger 'Josef Lemper' |
I just planted it this fall, so it is still a young 'un but it has several buds on it.
According to Skagit Gardens, who sent me this plant to try in my garden, it is hardy to Zone 4 and blooms from December through February. By the way, it looks droopy in the picture only because when I had an opportunity to photograph it in daylight, it was weighed over with a heavy frost. Normally, it is quite perky for a winter plant.
With this plant in my garden, I may finally, actually, fulfill the quote from Elizabeth Lawrence, "We can have blooms nearly every month of the year".
No more will December find me taking pictures of dried up roses and skeletons of flowers gone to seed. No more will January and February find me hunting for flowers only inside. Now I'll have something blooming outside, too.
This hellebore means that winter is now a whole new flowering season with new possibilities, at least in my garden.
What about your garden? Are you snow covered or still enjoying outdoor blooms?
Whatever your circumstances and however your garden looks during these December days, I hope you’ll join us for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day this month.
All are welcome!
It's easy to participate. Just post on your blog about what is blooming in your garden on the 15th of the month and then leave a link in the ‘Mr. Linky’ widget below, plus a comment to give us a hint as to what we might find in your garden in December.
“We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” – Elizabeth Lawrence
Update December 16.
Thank you to all who participated in bloom day. You all help make the 15th of the month a special day. You also help show that December has more blooms than many of us thought.
My hellebore turns out to be much prettier and sturdier and photogenic than I ever thought, especially today. Here's an updated picture.
![]() |
Helleborus niger 'Josef Lemper' |
Comments
Happy Bloom Day! Thank you for hosting!
Happy GBBD!
Lea in Mississippi highlighting my Mother-in-law's flowers (also in Mississippi).
Happy Bloom Day, and thank you for hosting!
I envie your beautiful H. niger! That species is rather difficult, isn't it?
Ruth
Deep Into the Darkness Peering
We've been having much warmer weather this year, so much so I have something from all 4 seasons flowering in my garden! It's very strange.
Have a good Blooms Day and Season's Greetings everyone!
http://hillwards.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/gbbd-blooms-in-december/
Sara.
(I do enjoy "visiting" other gardens on Bloom Day...thank you for hosting!)
http://myhesperidesgarden.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/december-gbbd-there-are-still-roses/
No snow here in western PA either, so it is nice to have one little flower here too... you will have to come take a look to find it!
Happy GBBD!
Julie
It's still warm here and there are blooms here and there.
Will post later tonight.
I'm thrilled for you that you have the lovely Hellebore to enjoy this month, but wondering (not for the first time) why I don't have more than one myself for this season. As it is, I'm low on flowers: Fatsia japonica and rosemary blossoms are my sole offerings.
Happy Bloom Day, Carol!
http://rockoakdeer.blogspot.com/2011/12/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-december-2011.html
Hellebores are likely to be the focus for the next three months but the most I have is a bud from one of them at the moment. Glad you have a real flower. For me, the Camellia sansanqua and Allium thunbergii are the scene-stealers. Well, that's the case since the animals ate my snowdrops...
Rosie
Thanks again for hosting. Have a great holiday and best wishes for the new year.
I've always wondered if your May Dreams would come true so far north. And now they have!
You must get more....of these hellebores. That's one trooper to bloom in such cold conditions.
Happy GBBD!
David/ Tropical Texana :-)