Truly I’m in awe of this hardy little snapdragon. He is descended from a plant about 15 feet away – – also growing in a rocky crevice. His parent bloomed all summer, but this fellow popped up in summer & started to bloom by September. Now, in late December, he’s still holding on! How he’s surviving is a mystery. I reckon he’s some kind of natural mutant out to prove survival of the fittest.
Long live the mutants! 🙂
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© copyright 2012 SVSeekins
The west coast winter officially begins with the passing of the longest night.
Now I look forward to sunshine & new growth. Really it has started already. The tiny leaves of grape hyacinth poke above the ground in the late fall, but I don’t expect to any blooms until April or May…
In the meantime they look so fresh & green & juicy, it’s just too tempting for the deer to leave alone! I suppose we all enjoy a holiday treat. 🙂
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© copyright 2012 SVSeekins
It’s taken a couple of years for me to really appreciate Forsythia in all seasons.
Yes, Forsythia is at its best in spring. Every morning through March, I sit with my coffee & ponder the coming growing season. As I’m peering out the kitchen window, my anticipation builds as the buds on the Forsythia show more & even more promise.
I’m energized by the sunny yellow blossoms in March & April.
Each year I feel so desperate to see any spring colour. Forsythia will never be challenged over its prominent real estate between our driveway & the kitchen entrance.
For all that hoopla, it’s easy to forget about Forsythia for the rest of the year. But that would be ignoring the assets.
In April & May, the yellow blooms give way to yellow-green leaves. Like the rest of the garden, the shrub begins to fill out, supplying much-appreciated privacy.
By June, Forsythia is a steadfast background green and working hard to compliment the new flowers in the garden parade throughout the entire length of the summer and into the fall.
When the brisk winds of October arrive, Forsythia again steps up for a more significant share of the garden interest. The yellow, apricot and red leaves add lovely colour to the fall palette.
For Halloween, they’re even more vibrant. No wonder Forsythia has become one of our garden mainstays!
By December, Forsythia is naked again. That’s not my favourite look for a shrub… but I understand that without the barrenness of winter, the spring probably wouldn’t be as exciting.
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Garden Variety Life 