As we near holiday festivities at the end of the month, I'm celebrating small highlights of color on these short days.
Oxalis vulcanicola 'Zinfandel' is blooming in the sunroom. While the landscape outdoors is brown and gray (not much snow yet), the foliage and flowers of this plant brighten our days.
Such a beautiful combination.
The Salvia I'm overwintering in a pot with other plants has a few fading flowers. I think it's a variety of S. sylvestris, but I can't find the tag. I wonder if it will bloom off and on all winter.
While blooms are sparse this month, berries are plentiful. Just a couple examples include Fuchsia 'Marinka,' which had blooms recently and has been prolific in forming berries.
Did you know they're edible? Generally, we don't have enough berries from our few plants to bake or prepare them, but the fishman enjoys them. So I eat a few and he gets the rest. They have a slightly sweet, peppery flavor that's fun for nibbling.
Also, the Cranberrybush Viburnums (V. trilobum) in the pots in the first photo, on the shrubs, and in my previous post are bright and long-lasting. Apparently, they're mildly toxic to humans but edible in small quantities, and can be used for preserves and syrups. They certainly lend a bright cheer to any scene.
I'm linking this post to Carol's May Dreams Gardens for Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. Head on over to see more December blooms. Happy Holidays!
I've never eaten enough fuchsia berries to get the peppery notes. The ones I tried many years ago didn't have any flavor that I could detect and I haven't tried them since. I suppose different varieties or species might have different flavors, so maybe I will try them again next summer.
ReplyDeleteThe flavor is definitely subdued compared with other berries. I wouldn't pick them over most other options. But...long story...the hubby likes them. I eat a few now and then.
DeleteThe Viburnum berries almost seem to glow! I love that Oxalis too. Best wishes for a great holiday season, Beth!
ReplyDeleteYes, they are very vibrant and cheerful. They help to brighten the brown and gray landscape outside. Happy Holidays, Kris!
DeleteI like oxalis, even the weed kind has pretty flowers. In CA it was a big, tall sort, here in OR it's tiny.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are so many species and varieties! They're definitely a favorite for me...and they overwinter well in pots. :)
DeleteWonderful to have blooms in December!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful arrangement of pine cones and berries in first photo!
Agreed! I didn't buy any flowers yet this year, but it's such a joy to have blooming potted plants. Thanks--it's fun to play around with elements for the front porch pots.
DeleteI like your winter pot, Beth, those berries with the green really make a statement and the two colours of the Oxalis flower and leaf work perfectly together - nature’s creations can’t be surpassed. I didn’t know that fuchsia berries were edible.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine: Thanks, it's fun to combine elements for the front porch pots. Love the Oxalis plant... actually so many of the Oxalis species are beautiful and fun to grow. :)
DeleteNice color for a dark time of year! I like the shade of the S. sylvestris; it recalls summer bounty and blooms. I've never grown fuschia--way too hot here, but I didn't know its berries are edible. Nice that you have them for your husband. Happy Holidays to you and yours, Beth. Tina
ReplyDeleteHi Tina: Yes, the Salvia continues to grow and bloom in the sunroom. The Fuchsias are staples here--outdoors from May through mid-October, and indoors from mid-October through April. Happy Holidays!
DeleteLove that yellow Oxalis. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled when I discovered it. It's been a mainstay in the outdoor garden and indoors during the winter for several years now.
DeleteWonderful to have a bit of color left, and those berries are so interesting. I was able to save some sprigs from my fuschia and they rooted for me. I'm so excited to see if I can bring them into bloom by Spring. Any tips?
ReplyDeleteOh, I'll bet you'll have success with those Fuchsias. For me, it's simply been a matter of potting them and lightly watering once a week during the winter indoors. A window with some light but not too much; in a cool room. Good luck!
DeleteThe salvia reminds me a little of S. involucrata ('Bethellii', 'Mulberry Jam'). Have a wonderful holiday!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the thoughts on the Salvia, Janet. I'll let you know if I find the tag. :) Happy Holidays!
DeleteSuch lovely photos. I had a similar Oxalis years ago, but after the first flowering, I couldn't help it thrive in my home.
ReplyDeleteI've had 'Zinfandel' for several years now and it seems happy both out in the garden for half the year (in a pot) and back in the sunroom from mid-October through April. I hope it will continue to perform well because it's so cheery.
DeleteYou have a bloom in winter! Oh how bright a cheerful and hopeful of warmer days ahead. I always breathe a sigh of relief on the winter solstice. All day long we tell each other, today is the shortest, today is the shortest, tomorrow will be sunnier.
ReplyDeleteYes, the sunroom is wonderful for keeping plants growing and blooming. :) I am SO happy that the days are getting longer!
DeleteBeautiful post Beth, perfect for December, it was great to see pops of color and learn about the berries. :-)
ReplyDeleteCarla
Thank you, Carla. :) Hope your holidays were bright and cheery!
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