The First day of Winter

I think summer is reluctant to leave. Seems like Winter and Summer have been struggling to claim territory. We seem to be experiencing a weekly spring, fall, winter. We start the week with a nice cold front, mid week warms, by the weekends it's balmy and in the upper 70's , then repeat.

Our Midnight low temperatures will be warmer than the daytime high today.

Winter two weeks ago.

and today, the real first day of winter, same tree. Seems to endure the elements rather well.
Hurricanes, snow, freezes...and I hope that will conclude the testing on this poor guy..

C. Cooperi, going on 4 years old.

Also blooming today, Abutilon

Chalice vine, with the "Tropical disco Mirror address sign" dubbed by a neighbor.
Made by Brian.

Double Hibiscus

Blue Sage

another Hibiscus

Black eye susan vine

May the winter be easy on everyone....
I found a lovely Christmas Cactus this morning - leftover from last year - blooming its head off all by itself in a forgotten corner!!

Kalanchie? I think I get this one confused with that pastry!

miniature azalea

another type of abutilon

Pink Dombeya

and the clerodendru nutan, wallichi is still blooming

clerodendrum - turkmanscap...sill blooming

a gift from Patty a few years ago

candy corn vine

even this guy isn't giving up...

No complaining, as I see alot of our gardeners are coping with far sinister things..


and for those of you who know where I work- I have been off for two days, and only know what I"ve seen on the news. In fact, I'm not looking forward to going in today at all.

- Have a great Winter Solstice Day, it's only longer days from here!.
Rj

Thanks for the treat RJ.
Be careful out there...
(oh and it's Kalanchoe)

Happy First day of winter everyone. RJ, nice thread. Seeing your garden around this time, I realize we're missing out alot as far as the growing season. Merry Christmas too, and a happy New Year soon to arrive.
Kim

Thanks Dutchlady..!

thx Kim..it's not always like this...took me a while to figure out what liked to bloom this time of year hear and I finally scored, in combination with a relatively mild autumn..

"relatively mild autumn.." not to mention hurricane IKE about demolished everything in September.

Ever the optimist. So beautiful.

PK

This message was edited Dec 21, 2008 6:43 PM

Wow on the abutilon

Hi Rj, it look like springtime in your backyard already.
Your big fern is a trooper, you should reward him with some Christmas lights.

Randy, lovely as always! Hope all goes well at work! My one azalea just won't give up......it's almost the only thing in bloom at the moment!

Happy New Year everyone!!!!!!!

Jeanne

I know...this weather is starting to wake things up. I had a cana blooming this morning that is in the front pond..I noticed it as I was going to work..and the Pink Magnolias are waking up..Kind of dangerous as Jan is our month to worry about.

Texasgal77, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Thanks Rita! It is sincerely appreciated. It has been a restful day. We celebrated last Sat. night.....Chinese at our favorite restaurant in Clear Lake "East Star". They have great food!!!!!

Jeanne

Happy Birthday!

Thank you, Randy! Are y'all doing anything tonight to celebrate New Year's Eve?

We're not. I'm going to Mom's as usual. We'll have left over birthday cake and watch the ball drop from NY at 11. (Gladly say Good-bye to 2008!!!!) Hopefully 2009 will be much better!

Happy New Year everyone. Stay safe!

Jeanne

I hadn't planned on it, but usually something comes up with this group of friends!

Oh I wish my ball would drop at 11 then I could go to bed LOL.
As it is - my HEAD will probably drop at 10....

lol...mine too!

You need a C Medullaris to go with that Cooperi rjudd!

I thought the same thing, and bought one..but...it got bombed by Ike. The branches from the tops of the trees acted like bombs in the garden when Hurricane Ike came through. The Medullaris are not easy to find here either.!
Rj