poinsettia beginning to bloom the actual flowers are the tiny flowers in the centre surrounded by red bracts.
star burst Clerodendrum (clerodendrum quadriloculare) that will be in bloom around mid to late December
snow on the mountain ( Euphorbia leucocephala ) not yet in bloom but will soon be in another four to six weeks
fruit of the Christmas palm
Christmas will soon be here and am looking forward to seeing my daughter who will be coming home from cold Illinois. I am looking forward to seeing my youngest sister Valerie, her husband Mark and my nephew Matthew. They will be coming in from Ontario Canada and haven't been back since they emigrated five or more years ago. My mother will be coming in from the USA where she has been for the past six months visiting her sons and grands. It is from her that I have inherited a love for gardening and plants. I am also looking forward to seeing my mother- in- law Barbara from Miami in January. She is also a very gifted gardener and we always have a great time when she comes. Christmas time in my garden is very special to me, there are many plants that only flower at this time of year. The garden takes on an ethereal feel, the poinsettia will be in bloom, the snow on the mountain will be in all her glory and the star burst Clerodendrum will be in her element. Since the nights will be cooler the plants take on a perkier attitude. I usually buy a real pine tree imported from North America I am not really sure if I will this year. I have always sworn off artificial trees but as the old saying goes I may have to eat my words.
