Thursday, December 15, 2016

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - Dec 2016

As the cliche goes, "What a difference a year makes!"

Last December, December 15, 2015, we had just about the most amazing fall ever. Here in upstate New York, in my zone 5b garden near Binghamton, New York,  I still had flowers outdoors.

This year, if I did, they would be under snow.  The last I knew, I had a couple of pansies blooming, and a Lenten Rose putting up buds, but those are now buried under snow.

Tonight, the low forecast is 6 F above zero (-14 C) but that sounds better than the original forecast, which was -2 (-19 C).

So, let's get to the nitty gritty.  What's blooming?

My poinsettia - the red "leaves", of course, are not flowers but a modified leaf called a bract.  The small thing in the center is the flower.

An African Violet - another one should be in bloom by week's end.

Two Thanksgiving cactuses - red
and pink.

Please visit the hostess of Garden Bloggers Bloom Day, Carol at May Dream Garden, to see what is blooming on her Indiana property and then explore the links to see what's blooming all over the world.
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13 comments:

  1. DeniseDecember 15, 2016 at 7:23 AM

    We are buried in snow. I have some pics for today but not sure if I will find time to write up a post. Thanks for sharing yours.

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  2. LeaDecember 15, 2016 at 10:39 AM

    I really should try growing African Violets again - yours is so pretty!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!

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  3. UnknownDecember 15, 2016 at 4:10 PM

    Beautiful houseplants to carry us thru to spring!

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  4. Dorothy BordersDecember 15, 2016 at 6:40 PM

    I do love your cacti. I lost mine a few years back, I really should get a replacement. And your poinsettia just reminds me that I need to get some. After all, what is the holiday season without poinsettias?

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  5. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern GardeningDecember 15, 2016 at 6:51 PM

    Wow! You are so much colder than we are here on Long Island! Our temperatures are in the 20'a and I thought that was cold! Your indoor blooms are delightful!

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  6. AndreaDecember 15, 2016 at 9:17 PM

    At least they can still grow indoors, to give you some life and colors aside from white snow, haha! With blogging i can provide you with all the colors and warmth, although of course those will just be in pictures. My friends who migrated to Canada experience -34C at the height of winter. I cannot imagine how warm-blooded humans can adopt with those temperatures. I am a bit scared if i were there! Keep warm.

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  7. Liz A.December 15, 2016 at 10:27 PM

    Sorry you're buried in snow. At least you do have some flowers indoors.

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  8. Dr. K. Lee BanksDecember 16, 2016 at 12:36 AM

    Beautiful photos, as always! I remember the first time I learned / realized that the red poinsettia petals were actually leaves ... amazing!

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  9. Kala RaviDecember 16, 2016 at 5:46 AM

    Lovely blooms Alana! They must be a delight to have, especially when there is so much white around!

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  10. VinithaDecember 17, 2016 at 12:00 AM

    Beautiful blooms, Alana!

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  11. Menaka BharathiDecember 17, 2016 at 2:03 AM

    Lovely blooms, red, violet, pink WOW! I am gardener too, an agriculturist and a terrace gardener. Glad to see your interest in gardening
    Menaka Bharathi has recently published http://www.simpleindianmom.in/planned-vs-emergency-c-section/

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  12. Mike Gardner is the Time DoctorDecember 18, 2016 at 12:10 PM

    Great pictures Alana, you may be surprised when the snow thaws, and reveals the beauty of your garden

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  13. Carol @Comfort Spring StationDecember 21, 2016 at 8:49 AM

    I bought a poinsettia for indoors though here in Florida I could keep it outside.

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