Winter In My Garden #8 - Iris reticulata 'Harmony'

Pin It

Corita Kent, also known as Sister Corita (does anyone remember the L O V E stamp?, created a serigraph, a silkscreen print, in the '80s of a simple line of crocuses in bloom. The caption read, "So far the crocuses have always come up." I was so enchanted by that simple, hope-springs-eternal phrase that I purchased the 200th print and to this day it has a place of prominence in my home.

Much like Sister Corita's crocuses, these miniuscule iris bloom year after year in my garden, often catching me by surprise in early February just when I'm thinking that winter will last forever. Hope.

Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

Birthday Sunset

Pin It

While taking a walk on Trinidad Head the evening before my birthday, I was given the gift of this glorious winter sunset.

Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

Winter In My Garden #7 - Peppers and Parsley from the Greenhouse

Pin It

Way back here, I was sure that the greenhouse was all finished for the summer. Sure, there were a few peppers in a pot hanging on for dear life, very green and not looking at all like they were going to get red like their siblings had done. But since they were quite alive I let them be, watered them now and then and was so surprised a few weeks ago, when we had a couple days of sunshine, that they began to change color. And even more surprised when the parsley kept on growing and growing and is still growing. And then saw that the oregano plant had started to put out succulent new shoots.

They practically cooked themselves. All I did was stuff the peppers with steamed rice that I'd seasoned with the oregano and parsley, topped off with some great goat cheese, put the pepper tops back on, baked them in the oven and dinner was served. Ya gotta love a greenhouse.

Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

Snow!

Pin It

Arriving home last night from a long drive, the last 40 miles of which was through snow - a rare occurance at sea level on the California coast - I was greeted by snow everywhere. Covering plants and trees, burying the winter garden, light, fluffy flakes of snow were falling as I walked up the pathway to the house. The holly tree and red Rhododendron were particularly noteworthy. The photos are unedited, taken with a flash around 7PM.

This morning as I write this, the snow is melting fast, water sluicing off the various roofs of our buildings making muddy puddles on the ground. Click here to see last year's snow. I'll have a snow photo from my trip here soon.

Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

One Very Wet Bumblebee

Pin It

I often wonder how these tiny creatures survive our harsh winters. Taking shelter under a drooping flower somehow doesn't seem like it would do the trick. But the bees are out in droves every summer so I guess they know what they're doing.

Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

Winter In My Garden #5 - Sarcococca ruscifolia

Pin It

Also known as Sweet Box, this slow growing evergreen shrub is quite the show-stopper in my winter garden. The tiny and shy intensely vanilla-scented flowers are quickly followed by bright red berries creating a sharp contrast against the leathery green foliage.

Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

Fuchsia thymifolia

Pin It

The tiny deep pink blossoms of a perfect miniature Fuchsia, are approaching full bloom in my winter garden. This perennial is native to Mexico south to Guatamala. Fuchsias of all sorts thrive in our temperate Mediterranean climate and the hummers love them.

Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

Winter In My Garden #3 - Early Narcissus

Pin It

Today dawned sunny and cold, a respite from the stormy, rainy grayness that has plagued us for what seems like forever. I knew this little narcissus, also known as a jonquil, had begun to bloom, but it wasn't until we were graced with a blue sky today that I thought of snapping a photo.

Observing and honoring each season as it comes and goes in its yearly cycle is something I strive for, as each one has something to give us; something we can learn from. Sometimes it's a lesson in patience - I'm already thinking of spring.

PS - If you click on the link in this post, scroll way down the page to get to the myriad photographs of flowering bulbs in this genus.

Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

Winter In My Garden #2 - Pieris Japonica

Pin It

Pieris japonica is getting ready to bloom in my garden. This is a great landscaping plant with showy leaves and color that changes with the seasons. Slow growing, it stays within a compact 4-foot square frame. The soft pink of the bud stems is a nice color this time of year when the sky is gray and stormy.

Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved

Sillywalk

Pin It

I would have loved to have been there when the mystery bird was making these tracks on the beach. Still, being able to take the photo is gratification enough.

Copyright © 2006-2008, Raven Ridge Gardens. All rights reserved