Hellebores, Hellebores, Hellebores!

Any chance?

First bloom of double Hellebores with ...pink tag. Is there a chance I have a chameleon worth $35 there? Neither white or yellow.

Wedgwood

My favorite cup.

First snow

First visit

After my first visit to the big nursery in 2008 I can say that "only" two Clematis plants followed me home: C. 'Veronica's Choice' and C. integrifolia 'Rosea'...not that I needed them (I have the first and could probably grow the second from the seed )...but the tags were in Polish! :-)

Fun has begun

Love this one. Helleborus x hybridus.

Surprise

Helleborus niger's first bloom on only one year old seedling.

The sign of Spring

Helleborus x Hybridus

Helleborus x hybridus

Ume

Long awaiting sight: blooms of Ume!

On the back of the mirror,
A spring unseen,
A flowering plum-tree.

~by Basho

The anticipation

I can't wait to see them opened! Helleborus x sternii.

Camellia

Here is an example of daily beauty and ugliness. Neighbor's Camellia.

Primula malacoides

Another Primula shows its pretty face, Primula malacoides.

"Pat Austin"

Pat Austin, a pretty and fragrant English Rose seems to be a little confused: trying to bloom in January... or may be already blooming in January?

Fen Zhuang Lou 粉粧楼（フェンツァンロ）

Fen Zhang Lou, ever blooming China rose, bitten by the winds and January rains. It's a lovely, very compact rose given a central stage on a coffee table in my garden.

Today...

the sky is blue and there is a hiding violet blooming with Fen Zhang Lou. Sweet Alyssum is going strong here and there. And "Pat Austin" has a gorgeous looking bud! But it is cold,cold,cold!

Sad?

It is very cold... Urophyla's flowers are finishing. First, I thought "Sad", then I realized: if winter flowers are over, Spring must be near! :)

Under the weather

It is cold and rainy. Dreaming of the blue Okinawa sky...

Pola

Four legged friend, Pola.

Almost unreal

Rose "Iceberg" still blooms in the middle of January! Iceberg well deserves the position in first 10 best roses of XX Ceuntry.

Winter Clematis: urophylla "White Angel"

Clematis urophylla 'White Angel' turns their beautiful blooms towards the sun. The neighbors seem to get the best view.

Beautiful sight

Ready to pot: Clematis Viorna seed. A lovely sight in the middle of the winter cold.

Clematis fremontii seeds

Today I received from Canada from a very kind Buddy Clematis fremontii seeds. Soaking first for about 24 hours in warm water and then I will put them in little zip-lock bags with some moist vermiculite. Two-three years to see the first blooms?

Clematis urophylla

Another winter beauty, Clematis urophylla 'White Angel'. I am going to race with the wind to get some seed from this beauty.

Cold!

The cold, cold weather is approaching! Brrrr!

Finally it has a name.

This little beauty I have had for years (it reseeds itself) but I could not find its name. And finally with the help of some great minds it is not just "A Tiny Blue Flower" but 'Ionopsidium acaule' or "Violet Cress"! Ionopsidium acaule is a little species native to Portugal and Morocco. :)

Rose hip

I was very surprised upon opening one of my roses' hips that the seed resembled...lemon seeds. May be it is time to try some luck with growing roses from seed? ;) I have tried only on one occasion some white wild rose that at present adores friend's (bigger than mine) garden. :)

First Primula: Primula praenitens

Primula praenitens, the earliest Primula in my garden. I was told it wouldn't survive even mild winters but she did not hear that. Third year and going strong.

Winter roses

Today was the day I cut the last rose buds from my winter garden.

Garden delicacy

Today I decided it was time to buy more manure for my roses. Hope they appreciate my efforts...I would not complain if it wasn't so horribly heavy. :(

PS: If you wonder what that green "blob" is... bag of cow's manure! ;)

Hurry up Spring!

Clematis buds already are swelling up! ;) 

Clematis in winter

There are some lovely blooms even in cold winter months: Clematis cirrhosa. It's a very lovely plant during winter months but unsightly view in hot summers when it looks dry and pretends to be dead. Not the best choice for small gardens.

More Clematis Viorna germinations

Windy and cold January but still I have been excited getting now and then new germinations. C. Viorna seed (outer coat removed) in plastic bags with Menedael and water in room temperature (15C-20C). 

Clematis

My addiction: Clematis. I have a tiny city garden, yet my appetite for new plants never seems to get fulfilled. I buy them, I get them from friends, I take cuttings, I grow them from seed... 

A Happy New Year!

 2008 here already... time flies!

 

Sun & water...