May all your wishes and dreams come true this year.

Thanks Bob and a great New Year to you.

Happy New Year and thanks for starting the new thread Of course I can't add blooms for a couple months yet

for the new thread.

I received my first bulb catalog yesterday! Doesn't that mean spring is just around the corner?

I have Helleborus niger and H. foetidus 'Wester Flisk' in bloom. The H. orientalis hybrids are not far behind. We are having a very mild and very wet winter so far.

I will look for mine in Feb late.

I've only received seed catalogs so far.

With the weather we have been having Spring cannot get here fast enough.
Lilly a couple of pictures if you get a chance. Hellebore breaking ground signifies the beginning of gardening season to me. Most years that is early March.

I am looking at coleus. The new ones from Rosydawn are wonderful.

Coleus is grown as an annual here.
Just sprouted a bunch, and once they show their colour, I will select the best ones.
Did two mixes and a pkt of Black Dragon.

Bob, your wish is my command! (Especially when it stops raining long enough for me to go outside and take some pictures)

Helleborus foetidus 'Wester Flisk':


This is evergreen in my climate and grows with reckless abandon. Had to trim it rather severely last year because it was aspiring to take over the world (or at least the shady part of the woodland bed.)

Helleborus niger:



Helleborus orientalis hybrids:



We have frost predicted for the near future, but fortunately the Hellebores do not mind that one bit. It just slows them down a little.

I also got a picture of one of my crazy frost-defying Gallardias:


Rosa 'Twice in a Blue Moon' also seems to have forgotten it is frost tender:

I have had freeze dried rosebuds this time of year before, but never fresh ones.

Carolyn, same here. I use them in deck containers.

Beautiful Lilli

Back here to list my deck garden container combos for 2018
I am leaning toward limes and yellow greens.I can add white and red annuals if needed.
I always over do the planters ,too many plants per pot.

Lilli nice to see some blooms on a day like this. It has been snowing since early this morning with high winds.
Jo Ann I guess this storm has reached your area by now.

We are'nt getting as much snow, just under 3 inches.Winds bring the chill factor down.

I always look forward to your container plans, Jo Ann

Salvia 'Amistad' continues to bloom...............
Salvia 'Amistad' by longk48, on Flickr

Salvia coerulea has started to bloom.............
Salvia coerulea by longk48, on Flickr

Although it should bloom over the winter it would have looked better if it bloomed a few weeks later. The dismal light levels result in the early blooms being less than perfect.

They still look very good to me. That warm purple of 'Amistad' in particular!