Christmas Miracles in the Garden
Posted: December 23, 2020 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Aechhmea recurvata, American Robin, Automatic Gardening, bougainvillea, Southern Gardening, Subtropical Gardening, Yaupon Holly 19 Comments
There has been a few small miracles in the garden. Nature somehow knew this was the year that something was needed to lift spirits. The bougainvillea has bloomed for the first time since it was brought home from the nursery many years ago. The plant didn’t put on much of a show, but it was enough to brighten the season with its reddish flowers.
This plant, which I believe is a Aechmea recurvata Bronze Age and if anyone can identify it please do, has taken a lot of abuse over the years. Rabbits have eaten it back and it had to endure flooding rains. But, this year the plant has finally decided to make some flowers.
The flowers are slow growing and I will update its progress.
Another small miracle, which is personal for me, was a flock of Robins that landed in the yard. The birds busily finished off the berries on the Yaupon Holly and headed to the lawn to look for bugs. Robins always remind me of my childhood up North. In the early evening when we were playing outside, the Robins were always hopping nearby looking for their last meal of the day.
I hope in this difficult year, you all have found a small miracle here and there to bring a bit of joy.
When I was in Comfort a week or so ago, a flock of robins was busy in a friend’s hard. There must have been a hundred of them — maybe more. They’re my favorite bird from childhood, but I rarely see them now. It was a bit of a miracle that i landed in the same spot as the birds when I did — I’m glad you got to see them, too.
(Is there anything nicer than a robin singing at dusk and dawn?)
A bright spot now wonderful.
Funny what blooms in this odd time of year: cold/warm/cold/warm…:)
It finally dawned on me when listening to the weather report. Last winter we only had one day below freezing. Many of my warm weather plants have really gotten bigger and I guess it was because they were not knocked back from freezes.
Robins are always a joy to see. In Maryland, where I grew up, it was indeed a harbinger of spring for us.
It is the opposite here. I really enjoy our winter visitors.
Wow, I would not have tried Bougainvillea that far north! Yay, Merry Christmas from the flowers. I think that is a Aechmea ‘Burgundy’ I have many here and that may be just what they call them here. Mine have never bloomed and are quite sharp…Merry Christmas from Me!
There are actually some healthy blooming Bougainvilleas up here, but they are usually more out in the open, against a fence and near a street, which may give them more heat. Merry Christmas to you!
So interesting! I think they are not supposed to live north of Zone 9…Cheers!
We are always stretching the limits here…and then they freeze. 😦
What an odd time to bloom for the first time. Bougainvillea can bloom whenever it wants to, but one would expect for it to start bloom while the weather is warm.
I can not help with the Aechmea recurvata, since I am not familiar with it.
Yes, I thought it was very odd. I was lucky to see it as it was hanging over the fence on the neighbor’s side.
I enjoyed your miracles.. mine ,the camellias are starting to bloom.
It is always a nice little surprise to brighten the day.
A nice Christmas gift from Nature. I love bougainvillea and robins on the lawn, too. Last summer, we were lucky to have several nesting pairs after a noticeable multi-year absence.
I was sure I heard Robins in the area, but couldn’t see them. I would guess that they are traveling around eating berries. Our woods are full of them.
A flock of robins? Your robins are clearly different, ours are fiercely territorial and guard their little patch jealously. They make lovely winter companions in the garden. Great to have a bougainvillea in bloom.
I learned that when I was in England many years ago. It seems the early settlers were not very creative in naming things and used the same names…New England. And worst the same music to our national songs.
Rabbits? You’ve reminded me I’ve only seen one rabbit since I moved to Savannah years ago. Why is that? The fox? The eagles? The alligators? I don’t mind sharing a little with the rabbits; they are so dear, but I fear they don’t last long on this Island
Loved this post.