Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - December 2014

We are still waiting for that first killing frost here in my zone 9a garden in Southeast Texas. We normally expect it around the tenth of December but Jack Frost is tardy in touching us with his icy fingers this year. The result is that all of my blooms that I showed you on November Bloom Day and, indeed, most of the ones from October Bloom Day are still pretty much in place. There are only a few additions.

The loquat tree has been in bloom all month. I dug this seedling from my daughter's garden six years ago and planted it here. This is the first year that it has bloomed.

I have a couple of yellow Esperanzas. This particular one got cut back severely last winter because it had grown too large. I guess I discouraged the poor thing because it has been slow to bloom this year, but finally, here in December, it is putting on its first real flush of blooms. 

The ever-blooming azaleas are still...well, ever-blooming.

As are the cyclamen, of course.

And the violas.

The 'Radazz' Knockout roses are in bloom again, just in time for Christmas.

And several of these late-blooming brugmansia blossoms are still hanging on.

There's the Christmas cactus.

And the bromeliad.

But what would Christmas be without at least one poinsettia. It's so warm here that this one is enjoying the weather outside. I can only hope that by Christmas it will be cold enough that I'll need to bring it inside. I hate those 80 degree F. Christmases!
Visit our host Carol at May Dreams Gardens for a list of other gardens that are participating this December's Bloom Day. It's always a treat to see what gardeners around the world are growing each month.

Happy gardening and I hope that whatever holidays you celebrate at this time of year are joyous and peaceful. Most of all I wish you a New Year filled with all good things. 

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