March GBBD Town Mouse


It's hard to believe, but it's bloom day again and Carol at May Dreams Gardens is inviting us to share this month's blooms.

I was actually worried that I wouldn't have a lot to show, so I planned on a post with close-ups and full plant photos. Turns out there's quite a bit after all, but now I have the photos, so here we go. Above, a Camelia I inherited from the previous owner, blooming its heart out. I love a plant that is green all year, has beautiful blossoms in the shade, and gets by with fairly little water once established. And here's the plant.


Also inherited from the previous owner, we have a white plant that blooms for months in early spring and fades into the background the rest of the year. Always cheers me up when the natives are still getting ready for the show. 


However, they really are getting ready in a big way. Just in tim for St. Patrick, we have Oxalis oregano (redwood sorrel). 


And it looks even better from further away. 


Also in part shade is Ceanothus Diamond Heights, one of the few Ceanothus that looks better when protected from noon and afternoon sun.


There's disagreement whether the lime green leaves and the light lilac blossoms "work." I actually don't mind, and figure this time of year, whatever might help out a bee looking for pollen is a good plant. But I bought it for the foilage (below in a black pot), and actually planted two in the ground last fall.  We'll see how that works out, they have a reputation for being challenging. 


As a Meditarrenean interlude, let me show you the daffodils. I completly ignore them in summer, and while I started with a mix, the little guys survived and thrive. Started blooming right after February bloom day, and will be done some time soon.


Interestingly, they bloom much earlier than my poppies. I just found the first blooming poppy in the garden last week. 


In contrast, the Sildacea malviflora (checkerbloom) has been blooming since October, and seems to be getting stronger and larger now that spring is coming. 


It definitely has the "wildflower look" and will look great when the clarkias start blooming. The bigger roundish leaves are the sildacea, the smaller, more yellow leaves are the clarkias.


In the front garden, Arctostaphylos 'Emerald Carpet' is still going strong.


I'm always sorry that none of the Arctostaphylos (manzanita) are blooming when Going Native Garden Tour happens in mid-April. 


Also starring in this month's line-up we have the first monkey flower.


And the first blossom on Saliva leukophylla 'Pt Sal Spreader'. I wish I could share the fragrance...


But finally, the plant that's graced our banner this month, Ribes sanguineum glutinosum (pink flowering current). 


Planted in fall 2008, they have truly come into their own this spring and delight us with blossoms for months. Part shade, low water, and happy plants. 


And now, let's head over to Carol and see what everyone else has blooming in their gardens. Happy bloom day everyone!

Comments

Brad said…
Great to see all your blooms. My oxalis oregana has white flowers, yours are definitely purple. The ribes is great. I don't have any poppies yet. I swear last year they started in January. Must be all the rain.
chuck b. said…
Wow, your checkerbloom's been blooming since October?! Mine is just sending up leaves!

And I have no poppies yet. Not even poppy flower buds.
Anonymous said…
Beautiful Ribes sanguineum! I have one of those too, but mine has neither leaves nor flowers yet. I'm starting to wonder whether it survived the winter.
Jean Campbell said…
Is that Iberis, the inherited white?
I believe the daffodil on the right to be Hawera, which blooms late here. California poppies aren't ready to bloom, but the foliage is going crazy out there.

Isn't it odd how you haven't anything to show until you count the photos? I keep thinking of things I forgot.
rebecca Sweet said…
I hope you have better luck with your ceanothus than I've had with mine - though my Mother has been successful with hers (took hers 3 years to get established, so be patient!)....beautiful photos, as usual - thanks for the tour!
Kimberly said…
The poppy is WONDERFUL...love them! Now, let's discuss the oxalis, or better known as clover. I never even heard of oxalis until I started blogging recently! LOL! It would be an aggitating weed if it weren't for the pretty little blooms and the hope of a lucky 4-leaf clover/oxalis! Although my son thinks lawns should be made of of oxalis and dollar weed because they're prettier and more interesting. :)
Christine said…
Darn, missed bloom day again! What a wonderful show! And to think you started out thinking there wasn't much blooming...
Oh how lucky you are to live somewhere where camellias thrive. They are so beautiful. I think the plant you inherited is candytuft. Mine aren't going yet but will be soon.

I'm going to side with the plant. I think chartreuse and lilac are just beautiful together.

Thanks for sharing.
Anonymous said…
Another vote for candytuft, and what a striking Camellia specimen. It looks perfect against the fence. The tiny daffs are just too sweet. Love everything you have shown us, and thanks for doing so. :-)
Frances
Ah, I see other like minds had the same thought. Candytuft is my vote. I grew it, albeit briefly, in the central valley, but the extreme heat was too much for it.

Our gophers appear to have removed all but three of our California poppy plants, but as yet, no buds or blooms. We'll see if they survive long enough to flower!

Your ribes is beautiful...I keep hoping ours will bloom soon, but it had a slightly bumpy start in life, so perhaps not until next spring.
Amy Farrier said…
Love the girly camelia blooms against the glossy green foliage. And so exciting to see the first poppy; wish I had gotten some of those in for this spring.
Balisha said…
Thankyou for stopping at my blog today. I had to come visit and love all your flowers. I especially like the picture of the poppy. So simple and lovely.
Balisha
Carol did it again! Led me to a delightful new spot on the internet. I am surprised by how many of the same things are blooming in my Portland OR plot. Lovely! Thanks!
Shirley said…
Hi again Renate, love the two postings for Bloom Day! Fav flowers just have to be the sorrel with the wonderful carpet of fresh green foliage.

You’ve a wonderful show there… Happy Bloom Day :-D
ryan said…
That's an early monkey. Ours aren't blooming yet. But quite a few plants are starting up at the same time as yours. The salvias are blooming or budding. The oxalis is just starting. And we got our first poppy right about the same time it seems. One of our three sidalceas has been blooming since October, too, and a second just started blooming.
donna said…
Town Mouse, it's been a while since I traveled to CA to visit your blog. I see that I've been missing a lot.

Camelia...the perfect plant, if only it would thrive in zone 4.

The photo of the single poppy is special.

donna
Marie said…
I love the blooms and all the lush California growth. The Camelia and the Oxalis are my favorites. I can't wait until we start to green-up in PA!
Diana Studer said…
(You do have Oxalis you love ...)