First Rains and Early Fall bloomers
- Subject: First Rains and Early Fall bloomers
- From: d* f*
- Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 10:30:17 -0800 (PST)
I wonder if others are experiencing unseasonally early
blooming of the typical fall/winter things? It seems
that the pink Dahlia imperialis is almost a month
early to bloom this year, starting in late October
rather than late November. The Tree Daisy/Montanoa
grandiflora is also spectacular in full bloom, and
both plants have kept the local bees, bumble bees and
butterflies very happy. As they are both so tall, I
can look out my second story window and see these at
eye level, and they are swarming with the pollen
gatherers. I am hoping that the rains stay
reasonable, as strong winds in conjucntion with heavy
rains can quickly snap flowering branches on these, as
well as knock most petals off, and shorten the show.
My Acacia podalyrifolia/Ghost Acacia is also in full
bloom since early October, and the bright yellow and
silver foliage light up the garden against the rain
clouds. This more normally starts blooming around mid
December. The masses of Nerine bowdenii with its
bright pink flowers on 18" tall stalks are marvelous,
I never get tired of seeing 100's of stalks in bloom
this time of year, for that last shout of summer
color!
The regular fall bloomers such as Hedychium flavescens
were also early this year, some stalks started
blooming as early as July, while other stalks are just
now opening buds. The Plectranthus ecklonii and P.
mozambicansis have been shy to bloom in my own garden
this fall, but are very showy just down the street
with more sun. The South Arican Hypoestes aristata
are also in full bloom now, and the delicate flowers
on tall 3~4 foot spikes demand close inspection to see
the detail of the petals, and the reason for being
called ribbon flower. I wish it stayed milder here in
winter, and it would continue blooming all winter into
spring as it can in Los Angeles.
Of coarse many Aloes are in full bloom as well, and
the Aloe arborescens aurea and Aloe marlothii are
beautiful. I wish I had more sunny areas, I would
then certainly incorporate more aloes... As it is, I
have to content myself with using them in client's
gardens instead, and just got finished completely
rearranging a fabulous existing collection of
Aeoniums, Aloes, Echeverias, Sedums, Senecios,
Graptopetalums, Graptoverias, Pachyphytums in
conjunction with many colorful Neoregelia and Aechmea
and Billbergia bromeliads in a Sunset district garden
in San Francisco. The range of colors and forms are
fun to combine to play off each other, even though
they would never occur together naturally, it is part
of the fun gardening in the milder parts of San
Francisco, where it rarely ever freezes or gets too
hot. It is so satisfying,(and easy) to rearrange
these plants in a sandy soil and such a mild
microclimate, no need to worry about getting large
root balls or transplant shock, with many in fact
reinvigorated by simply planting as cuttings! I also
discovered that Aloe arborescens aurea and A.
marlothii will take on a violet coloration to the
foliage if transplanted/relocated at blooming time,
and this adds to the effect. It also helps that
raccoons and squirrels don't immediately destroy the
new plantings, as they are determined to do in my own
garden. If any one would like to see this garden, it
is visible from the street, and I'd be happy to give
the address if you email me privately.
Sorry for the ramble, just thought I'd share some
thoughts on what is blooming now.
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