• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

  • About
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Shop
    • Gardening Humor
    • Children’s Books
    • New – The Halloween Hare
  • Speaking
    • Upcoming Speaking Engagements
  • Social
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
  • Gardening Humor
  • Children’s
  • All Books

May Dreams Gardens

Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – December 2016

December 15, 2016 By Carol Michel 24 Comments

Welcome to Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day for December 2016.

Here in my USDA Hardiness Zone 6a garden in central Indiana, any thoughts I had that Fall would really last forever have been blown away by the cold chills and snow of Winter.

I was grateful we were spared the big snowfall that fell north of us this past weekend, but that “sparing” didn’t last long as we got a decent pile of snow dumped on us a few days ago.

I measured about the three inches of the white stuff. The picture to the right was taken at day break just as the snow started to fall. By mid-day, we were covered.

But on to the blooms. As you will see, I took these pictures the day before it snowed.

One plant that needs no snow cover is the hardy Christmas Rose, Helleborus niger.  I’ve been checking the buds on the variety ‘Josef Lemper’ and expect on the next sunny day, those buds will open.

Next to it is another variety ‘Cinnamon Snow’.

This is not a great picture, but trust me that the buds on ‘Cinnamon Snow’ are smaller and tinged with pink.

There were several seedlings under ‘Josef Lemper’ this summer, so I transplanted some of them out to grow on.

Looks like I have a few years to wait for this one to bloom.

Nearby, the last of the autumn crocuses appear to be caught in the act by the cold. It’s buried in snow now.

I want to plant more autumn crocuses and will do so next fall.  Remind me!

Elsewhere in the garden the last of the violas are also shivering in the cold.

I always let them go to seed in hopes they will just show up here and there in the garden, and they often do.

Since it is so cold outside, and now snowy, I have to get my gardening fix indoors.

I just potted up an amarylis, a double-flowering pink and white variety called ‘Nymph’,

Looks like its blooms will be featured in a January bloom day post, along with the blooms of Lily of the Valley and hyacinths, which are the other flowers I force into bloom indoors each winter.

Until they bloom, I will continue to enjoy the blooms of the euphorbia commonly called Crown of Thorns.

The two I have, one pink, one yellow, are always in bloom, every day of the year.

What’s blooming in your garden on this cold December day? We would love to have you join in for Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day and show us. It’s easy to participate. Just post on your blog about what’s blooming in your garden on or about the 15th of the month. Then come here and leave a comment to tell us what blooms you’ve got to show us and put a link in the Mr. Linky widget to make it easier for us to find you.

And remember always, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: garden bloggers bloom day

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening says

    December 15, 2016 at 5:16 am

    The winter temperatures are hitting here as well on Long Island with highs in the 20's for the next few days. It is great seeing your winter hellebores getting ready to open. I had planted some myself a couple of years ago and it is nice seeing those buds. Thanks for hosting. Even at this time of year, it is fun to go out into the garden and look for its inner beauty. Happy GGBD Carol!

    Reply
  2. Courtney Helena says

    December 15, 2016 at 10:55 am

    Hi, I hope I connected my site correctly! I wasn't sure the widget worked with my bad Internet. http://www.courtneyhelena.com/home/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-december-2016 Anyway, it's a bright, sunny, warm spring morning here in southern Brazil, and the garden is bursting into bloom everywhere I look! It was hard to choose the images for this post, because there are so many beautiful blooms everywhere I look. Thanks so much for hosting this super-fun event… this is my first GGBD!

    Reply
  3. Alana says

    December 15, 2016 at 11:29 am

    I had one hellebore with buds – who knows if it will even bloom now. Today and tomorrow are going to be nasty. Happy to see your indoor activity. I am an expert in not being able to rebloom amaryllis. Thank heavens for GBBD!

    Reply
  4. Denise says

    December 15, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Thanks for hosting this blog hop. Have a great holiday season.

    Reply
  5. Gail says

    December 15, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    MIne is up! Happy GBBD. xogail

    Reply
  6. outlawgardener says

    December 15, 2016 at 2:55 pm

    Happy cold GBBD Carol and thanks for hosting, even in the snow! Blooms are especially precious this time of year. Thanks also for reminding me about lily of the valley in January. I hope to force a few myself this year as yours always look so nice. Hope you and your garden fairies have a great holiday season and a happy new year!

    Reply
  7. Kris Peterson says

    December 15, 2016 at 3:50 pm

    There's no snow here and there's been precious little rain but a storm is headed in our direction. I'm very happy at the prospect of the garden getting a good soak. Thanks for hosting GBBD and Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  8. danger garden says

    December 15, 2016 at 5:23 pm

    I too got out and took my photos before the snow fell, it's so much easier (and warmer) that way. Happy Holidays to you!

    Reply
  9. Unknown says

    December 15, 2016 at 9:08 pm

    I enjoy seeing the Hellebore! I won't see mine until about March.

    Reply
  10. Darcy - eGardenGo says

    December 15, 2016 at 9:12 pm

    Blooms are pretty sparse here due to recent snow and ice — which though lovely, takes it toll garden-wise. So not too many photos on offer with this, my first participation in Garden Bloggers Bloom Day as eGardenGo.

    Happy holidays to all!

    Reply
  11. Linnae says

    December 15, 2016 at 10:25 pm

    Hello Carol! Happy Bloom Day to you! My blooms are in short supply here, though I have a few seedpods poking up through the snow. I'll take whatever I can get!

    Reply
  12. Covegirl says

    December 15, 2016 at 10:52 pm

    Brr! My Amaryllis has two big buds, but they have not opened, yet. I brought my Gerbera Daisy in before the first frost. It had 3 buds, and they blooming, now. I just noticed that there is another bud. this is the second year for overwintering this plant.

    Reply
  13. John says

    December 16, 2016 at 3:48 am

    Hi Carol, usually I can find some outside flower to take solace in, even for December, but today there was nothing. Fortunately the greenhouse saves the day!

    Reply
  14. Rainy Day Gardener says

    December 16, 2016 at 3:54 am

    I have one hellebore blooming..it started in November. I could plan my whole garden around hellebores, but, I don't. Or, at least, not yet. Happy GBBD.

    Reply
  15. Penguin says

    December 16, 2016 at 7:47 am

    My peonies were tiny infants when they handed them over to my arms. They just Deliver Flowers after a long trip in the same day. Then after traveling in NY public transportation, the high temperature forced all flowers to open. The matured blossoms still moved my heart.

    Reply
  16. Dee Nash says

    December 16, 2016 at 1:14 pm

    All my blooms are indoors. We've had freezing temperatures for weeks and weeks. Still it's nice to see things up close inside. Happy Bloom Day my friend. ~~Dee

    Reply
  17. Anonymous says

    December 16, 2016 at 6:02 pm

    I had some surprises today! Thanks for hosting, Carol, as always

    Reply
  18. Evan Bean says

    December 16, 2016 at 6:24 pm

    I took photos before and after the snow. Here's my mixed bag of foliage and flowers: http://practicalplantgeek.blogspot.com/2016/12/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-and-foliage.html

    Reply
  19. betty-NZ says

    December 17, 2016 at 4:43 am

    How fantastic to have a flower that is always in bloom! I have some gazenias in the garden that are always blooming.

    Reply
  20. Evenstar says

    December 17, 2016 at 5:46 am

    Blooms are in short supply, but it's nice that there are some still! I need to look at planting hellebores for next year.

    Reply
  21. Amy@Small Sunny Garden says

    December 18, 2016 at 5:57 am

    So glad to see your hellebored have buds 🙂 I grew only H. x orientalis in my previous garden (Missouri); now I wish I had gone ahead and tried H. niger…!

    Reply
  22. Carol @Comfort Spring Station says

    December 21, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    Just found your link party. I love gardens and flowers. Thanks for hosting. Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  23. RobinL says

    December 23, 2016 at 3:00 am

    Nothing blooming here! But my amaryllis may make an appearance soon, does that count?

    Reply
  24. Kalpa Weerakoon says

    December 11, 2018 at 8:40 am

    kadupul flowers is a must have flower for a dream garden. We have several of those night blooming fragrant flowers in our garden.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Categories

  • Blog (3,048)
  • Internal (2)

Blog Tags

annuals Blogging books bulbs dr. hortfreud embrace fairies fall family flowers fruits garden bloggers bloom day garden bloggers book club garden design gardeners gardening gardening geek gardens hoes holidays hortense hoelove houseplants humor indoor gardening insects lawn letters to gardening friends perennials rabbits reviews Secrets seeds shrubs spring tools trees vegetable garden vegetable gardening vegetables weather weeding weeds when a gardener wildflower wednesday winter

The Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Footer

Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Connect

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • maydreams icon

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Books
  • May Dreams Gardens
  • Podcast

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Newsletter Archive

Copyright © 2023 · CarolJMichel.com · Sitemap · Privacy Policy

Book purchase links are affiliate links and Carol earns a small commission if you make a purchase.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT