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| We've had a couple of frosty nights here in Sacramento. After the first night of frost the garden faired pretty well, but back to back (to back, etc) nights and my garden has turned to mush. Early this week we had lots of wind to knock the rest of the leaves off the trees (like the Utah Sweet Pomegranate above left, and the bright yellow leaves from our gingko tree to the right), hopefully those leaves offered enough heat and cover for some of my more tender perennials. Only time will tell. |
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| Pictured above is the so-called "front yard" garden at about 9am this morning. This side of the yard doesn't start getting sun until around 10am, so the frost tends to linger for a while. The fence and citrus trees above are covered in C-9 Christmas lights and set on a dusk to dawn timer to provide some heat (and holiday cheer). |
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| As for things that turned to mush, we have some of the lovelies pictured above. From left to right, Dahlia imperialis, Verbascum (I can't remember which one, and it's too cold to go outside and read the tag), and Iochroma cyanea 'Burgundy Wine'. Just last week all three of these were green and perky. All three should survive, although I'm thinking the iochroma is going to need a little extra protection than I was thinking it would. |
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| The "I'm not afraid of a little frost- I'm too busy looking awesome" award goes to Athansia pinnata, pictured above. This is one of my favorite plants as it looks good year round. As you can tell by the photo above, its blooms laugh in the face of frost. |
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| The pictures above are of my Echium 'Mr. Happy'. The photo on the left was taken on Sunday. The photo on the right was taken this morning. My other Echiums handled the frost pretty well, but this plant in particular just looks droopy and sad now. I'm praying it recovers as it was growing to be one of the largest Echium "towers" I've grown yet. Fingers crossed! |
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| Guess what time of year it is? Yep- it's citrus season! I managed to get all of the trees wrapped in Christmas lights this past weekend and just in time! Clearly I wasn't thinking how much energy it would take to keep 12 tree's warm. Lets just hope that my pummelo tree isn't robbed again.... |
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| The biggest disappointment I had was of my Salvia wagneriana. I have two of them, one is a couple of years old and is huge, and one is only about 6 months old and still in a small size. I have never seen it bloom in my garden! Every year it gets close- then BAM! The frost comes and turns the plant to mush. The plant returns every year without problems, but still I'd like to enjoy to the blooms at least once! |
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| There were still some blooms in the garden as of this past weekend, but I'm pretty sure most of them are gone after today. The only blooms that seem unaffected by the frost were the hollyhocks (above). I guess I should be thankful I have anything blooming this time of year, but it still makes me sad to see less colors. Speaking of color..... |
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| .....in case I get too busy to post again before Christmas- Merry Christmas from Us! |
Happy Holidays, the three of you looks so adorable in that last picture.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize your pummelo was robbed last year, what a bummer. We need to invent some kind of anti-theft gardening device. Maybe one that sprays some kind of evil stench if you pick the fruit.
I'm thinking I need to plant some more spiky plants around this tree. Since it's still young I only get like 10 pieces of fruit off of it- so all it takes it one person taking a couple and there's a major dent in my supply. I checked the tree yesterday and there are only 4 left. Last year I only got one. I may just have to pick them early (since that is what everyone else is doing! haha).
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of the Athanasia pinnata before - what a lovely plant. How much longer do you expect it to be in bloom? I am always on the lookout for fall/winter bloomers and that one looks like a winner. Did you get it from Annie's annuals, a local garden center, or started from seed?
ReplyDeleteYour daughter looks adorable with her little red nose. Poor Mr. Happy. I hope the weather doesn't continue to make him sad. It's been cold up north of you too. Here in Oregon there is sunshine and wind today but it's been really foggy lately. And really cold. Fingers crossed that your Salvia blooms for you next year.
ReplyDeleteI've never lived in a citrus growing climate long enough to grow citrus (10 mos. in Ventura, CA wasn't long enough), so I'd never heard of using Christmas lights to warm the trees. Clever idea!
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