Is there anything more magical than watching the progress of daffodils in the grey light of late winter? Or the falling of autumn leaves on a windy day?
In California we have a climate that allows us to have green all year around if we wish to but seasonal change makes one pause and notice the passage of seasons and therefore time. A deciduous tree with great fall color, winter blooms of Camellias, spring-blooming bulbs and late summer salvia abundance...and then it starts all over again!
Look out your window or take a walk and find harbingers of the season.
Some plants to look for now:
- Ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) - lovely fan-shaped leaves that are starting to turn gold now. The leaves usually fall in quick succession making for a beautiful carpet.
- Hardenbergia violacea ‘Happy Wanderer’ aka Purple Vine Lilac - I mentioned this vine before...I love it! Great fountains of purple blooms now and through the winter.
- Camellia sansanqua ‘Yuletide’ - Just started blooming a few weeks ago...flowers are happy red color with a bright yellow eye. Makes for a nice container plant for the holidays.
- Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) - Another plant I have written about before...nice large blooms with red or purple-red fall color depending on the variety. Very large leaves!
- Mandarins and kumquats - Citrus are so cheery in winter and they make a nice plant for pots.
The thing about seasonal changes is that it’s transitory and so it must be enjoyed in the moment it is happening...blink and it is over!