Flowering now
Jane McGary (Wed, 28 Dec 2016 12:42:41 PST)

Here in the maritime Pacific Northwest (USA) we are having intermittent
periods of moderate frost, snow, and ice, punctuated by rain and a few
sunny days. Numerous Galanthus have emerged but are not quite open yet,
and the two fall-flowering Galanthus in the garden have withstood the
weather so far. Acis tingitanum is in flower in both garden and unheated
bulb house. No crocuses at the moment. A few Colchicum or Merendera
species are in flower in the bulb house, such as Colchicum triphyllum
and Colchicum doerfleri. Many forms of Narcissus cantabricus and its
hybrids are flowering, but the flowers don't stand up to the weather, so
I enjoy them under the roof of the bulb house. Narcissus romieuxii is
just starting to open. A few Cyclamen coum subsp. caucasicum are in
flower; most of them come later.

Not geophytes but rather shrubs are pleasing at this time of year,
whether the numerous broadleaf evergreen and coniferous ones grown so
much here, or the deciduous winter-flowering ones such as Chimonanthus
praecox and Viburnum 'Dawn'. Mahonia 'Arthur Menzies' is pleasing both
people and hummingbirds with its bright yellow flowers. Sasanqua
camellias diligently open a few new flowers after each freeze.

Jane McGary

Portland, Oregon, USA

On 12/28/2016 4:29 AM, David Pilling wrote: