The evergreen shrub above should be a must-have for gardeners suffering from winter blues. Daphne (D. odora aureomarginata) is full of buds right now. It will start blooming the last of January and continue right through February. The best thing about the flowers, since they are small, is that they smell wonderful, a lemony sweet fragrance. Float a few of the flower clusters in a small bowl to bring the rich scent into the home.
The flowers below belong to my Japanese Flowering Apricot tree, Prunus mume. It is a lovely small tree, not grown for its fruit, but for the early flowers. It is completely budded now. The buds are still tight, but they will open around the first part of February. Branches may forced in the house for even earlier blooms.
Hellebores, in the third photo, are sometimes called Lenten Roses. They begin to bloom in February also, and come in several colors: white, white with speckles, pink, dark rose and a deep maroon that is almost black. Their evergreen leaves are palmate and the nodding flowers show up well in the foliage.
These plants keep winter from being too dreary. Include some in your garden for year-round flowers.
Mystic said,
January 20, 2011 at 2:14 pm
I could use some color in my garden this time of year. Sprinkling of sleet today!
Lynn said,
January 20, 2011 at 3:43 pm
I checked yesterday and the deciduous hellebore is covered in fat, purple buds just starting to open. It is always the 1st one, H. purpurascens. I covered it w/ leaves in anticipation of the snow. We have about 4 inches and it is still snowing. Wet snow, so we have to go out and knock it off of the evergreens.
Tom Dillard said,
January 21, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Lynn,
I love winter blooming plants. Some of my hellebores have been blooming for a month… right through two terribly cold spells. Also, I have picked two blooms from my winter blooming iris (also known as the Algerian iris, I. unguicularis)… though it is a bit colder than it likes.
I enjoy your postings–especially when the weather is miserable.
Tom
lynnfromthegarden said,
January 21, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Yes, Tom. It is so rewarding to have winter blooming plants. Sounds like I might need a piece of your I. unguicularis, if you don’t mind sharing. One of my camellias just finished blooming and my other one is budded, if I can keep the buds from freezing.
Autumn Bell said,
January 22, 2011 at 7:04 am
Hi, Lynn. I am so lucky to be able to see your lovely Prunus mume in bloom today. I have never seen the real ones before and I am so happy to know that it does look like the artificial flowers we have here in tropical Malaysia.
I have inserted your link in my related blog post and I hope you don’t mind. My post is here:
http://www.mynicegarden.com/2011/01/present-hidden-message-and-wish.html
Garden Walk Garden Talk said,
January 29, 2011 at 12:12 pm
Hi and welcome to Blotanical. I am Donna of Garden Walk Garden Talk and I have ‘accepted’ your blog for processing as I am one of the gurus and mentors. This is new in Blotaical, but I hope my vote gets you part of this wonderful blogging family. You have a lovely blog, hope I can help you get approval.
lynnfromthegarden said,
January 29, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Thank you, Donna. I hope so too.
lynnfromthegarden said,
January 29, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Hi Donna. thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I’ve been waiting to hear if I were accepted to Blotanical. Lynn
lynnfromthegarden said,
February 2, 2011 at 2:29 am
thanks, Donna. I haven’t set up my ID on Blotanical yet, but I was accepted. I’m curious. How is my blog different or new? Thanks.
Lrong said,
January 30, 2011 at 11:06 am
Hi… got here from Autumn Belle… the Japanese apricot has no fruits? The one we have have beautiful flowers and fruits of a good size…
Now I know the name of that plant we have… the Daphne… our has yet to bloom at the moment…
lynnfromthegarden said,
January 30, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Hi Lrong,
The Flowering Japanese Apricot, Prunus mume, is only grown for its flowers, but there are other Japanese apricots that are grown for both fruit and flower. You are fortunate to have both the apricot and the Daphne for winter blooms.
Jeff Selby said,
November 16, 2011 at 4:51 pm
Hi Lynn,
Could you please email me about using one of your beautiful photos for a small town newsletter?
Thanks,
Jeff
lynnfromthegarden said,
November 16, 2011 at 10:30 pm
Hi Jeff,
Which photo would you like to use? I would be happy for you to use one. Send me a copy of the newsletter, ok?
Jeff Selby said,
November 16, 2011 at 10:37 pm
I would love to use a photo of the Japanese Flowering Apricot. Could you send your email address to jselby@ci.oswego.or.us and I will send you the newsletter.
Many thanks!
Jeff
lynnfromthegarden said,
November 16, 2011 at 11:05 pm
lbr845@cox.net
I’ve had a lot of interest in the Prunus mume, even all the way from Japan! Lynn