Welcome to the Mid-Atlantic forum! Post photos of your garden here and chat with us!

Here's what's blooming in my yard today. Instead of joy, I'm feeling dread about their impending doom due to (seasonably) frigid weather. I realize crocus blooms generally don't last that long, but I'm feeling really sad about the as-yet-unopened hellebore blooms, which usually last well into early summer.

So far, my helleborus don't seem to be blooming. I've accumulated quite a few cultivars over the last few years - one of the plants that deer seem to leave alone here. If anyone is interested, Burpee has a great selection. Last year I ordered 'Phoebe' and 'Stained Glass'. They are pricey, as helleborus often are, but this weekend they are offering free shipping and also 20% off perennials when you buy 3. Free shipping code is FRS16 (ends Sunday) and the 20% off is calculated once you've added 3 to the cart. This year they are now carrying the Wedding Party series. I ordered "Best Man", "Maid of Honor", and "Bridesmaid".

I will post a pic of my winter blooming Jasmine. A little earlier than usual but it does normally bloom in winter.

The crocuses are beautiful, SSG--I agree it is sad to have them start to grow and bloom now to no avail. I was just noticing that one of my lilac trees has fat buds getting ready to open-- not to mention all the daffodils that have stalks shooting up--and I found catkins getting ready to open on my pussy willow. I wonder what our real spring will look like this year?

Nice buy, Aspenhill! I was able to get a hellebore last fall during a wonderful clearance sale--it rooted nicely for me and I'm hoping for a bloom this spring!

Holly--we crossposted, and funny you should mention the jasmine--I was just out noticing that mine is in bloom, too! What a nice treat as we head into colder days.

I must have a different type of jasmine. Mine's evergreen and not yet blooming.

There is a whole bank of that jasmine blooming on the side of the highway between Lucketts and Leesburg. Has been blooming for a few weeks now. One of my cousins was in DC with her children recently and posted this picture on Facebook with the caption "We had many plans for what we'd see during our late December trip to DC, but I must admit, the Cherry Blossoms were a bit of a surprise!"

Wow--looks like we should have changed the date of our cherry blossom festival this year!

A new year and a new thread.

Now what happens Robin? Do you go in and close the old thread? I know at first these long threads are intimidating to newbies, but it doesn't take long to just jump in. I t looks like the threads at DG are going to be like that now.

Eric4home said:I know at first these long threads are intimidating to newbies, but it doesn't take long to just jump in.

Jumping in is always fine--no need to go back and read 3000 posts!
But hopefully the new 2016 thread will make newbies feel more comfortable about that.

It is possible to 'lock' threads that are no longer in use, but I'm reluctant to do this--it's typically a move moderators make when a thread is getting heated and they want to end an unproductive interchange. There are messages on the old thread from SSG and me directing people here, so hopefully if anyone visits it, they'll see the notice and join us here!

We found a few blooming daffodils in the back yard on New Year's Day... looked more closely and found some crocuses in Joyanna's Crocus Lawn... also, one of my reblooming azaleas has been going nearly nonstop since September. Cold snap coming... hope it doesn't kill any of the unseasonable bloomers. (I know the flowers will be toast; I jus tdon't want to lose the plants)

Happy 2016!

Good point, Critter--the most important thing is the survival of the plants themselves--guess we can weather a few lost blooms, as long as they come back...

Nice pic of you Critter, you look well and rested. I'm looking forward to Feb. and Chef Lin's.

Me, too! When is the date set for?

Mid-Atlantic gardeners, check out this article!
http://gardenrant.com/2016/01/...

It features beautiful pictures of local gardens that you can visit.

Ok, here's a New Year's gardening resolution I'm making here publicly: I will visit more local gardens! Starting with the National Arboretum next week: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Educa...

They're having a bonsai exhibit that focuses on the leafless form of the bonsai tree.

If you check out that arboretum events page, you'll notice that their Full Moon hikes are already sold out for January and February. I went on one of these hikes a couple of years ago. SO MUCH FUN! It's definitely worth it, but it's not an easy stroll. Lots of hills and walking in complete darkness (except for moonlight to shine the way).

Great photos, SSG! Nice New Year's resolution!

We did Nat'l arb over Thanksgiving, It was pretty busy. There's not a lot that non gardeners can appreciate in winter, so the bonsai is a highlight. I really wish there was better parking near the Asian collection, it's such a great area.
Full Moon Hike makes me think of Terp. I'm not sure if he actually led, or just talked about them.

Terp was one of the helpers, but he didn't lead the group. When I went, he stayed towards the back to make sure there weren't any stragglers or people wandering off course. The main guide was a... horticulturalist? She was an employee of the arboretum, whereas Terp as a volunteer. Actually, I think he may have recruited me as a last-minute volunteer because the other volunteer couldn't make it. Which is great since I didn't have to pay for it!

I miss Terp! He stopped coming to DG because his phone wouldn't load up the website anymore. I need to let him know about the seed swap.

Nice photo, Jill.
SSG, you should put Hillwood on your gardens list. Visiting the mansion is a bit pricey at $18 pp but the gardens are free. Some 25 acres divided into "rooms." Orchids in the greenhouse are swoon-worthy. Nice cafe too.