| I want a beautiful garden for the winter. What should I plant in the fall to make this happen? |
| The winter or ?cool season? brings a wonderful array of annual flowers. In December snapdragons, pansies, Iceland poppies and Primrose will bloom, as will California Fuchsia. As winter progresses Ranunculus will make an appearance, along with tuberrose and jasmine. Fruit and nut trees will bloom in late winter. Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinea blakeana) begins to flower about the time the Pistache trees begin to show fall leaf color, and continues in flower through January. Flowers are about 5" in diameter, deep fuchsia in color, resembling in shape and size the flowers of the Cattleya orchid. The tree drops some leaves in December, but is not entirely deciduous. Leaves are a gray-green/chartreuse color generally, and have an interesting lobed shape. Pink Snowball Tree (Dombeya cayeuxii) comes into flower in January. The tree is covered with large, pink, hanging clusters of flowers that have a powerful fragrance of butter and sugar. Its leaves are large, broad, and maple-like in shape. You'll also want to include a variety of late-winter and early spring blooming bulbs (which should go into the ground now). Enjoy your colorful winter garden! |
