What's Blooming in January

By LarryR
January 17, 2012

In a more normal winter, our gardens here in Iowa would be nestled under a blanket of snow. Catching sight of even a flake or two has been a rare event so far this winter. As I write this, I'm itching to get outside, because it is sunny and 61 degrees! The average high in January for our state is 32 degrees. If this keeps up, I may have some early spring flowering bulbs to show you in February instead of in April! In the meantime, let's pay a cyber visit to folks who really do have plants blooming now, and also to our Mystery Blossom Contest winner, Paul Anguiano.

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Jan 20, 2012 1:43 PM CST
Thread OP
Surprisingly GREEN Pittsburgh (Zone 6a)
Rabbit Keeper Bee Lover Cat Lover Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Butterflies Hummingbirder
Dog Lover Birds Plant and/or Seed Trader Bulbs Echinacea Irises
You started the post by saying "In a more normal winter".
I'm scared we'll never be "normal" again!

My spring blooming crocuses are up!!!
Not in bloom, but up.
AND my fall blooming crocuses haven't completely gone dormant yet.
BOTH have their greens up.

My buddleia bloomed very late and STILL haven't lost their leaves.

YIKES!
SHOW ME YOUR CRITTERS! I have a critter page over at Cubits. http://cubits.org/crittergarde...
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Jan 22, 2012 8:23 PM CST
Name: Larry Rettig
South Amana, IA (Zone 5a)
I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Foliage Fan Cottage Gardener Tip Photographer Composter
Organic Gardener Charter ATP Member Garden Photography Houseplants Hybridizer Cat Lover
I'm afraid you may be right. So far, this is the third year we've had a Zone 7 winter, and we garden right on the line between Zones 5a and b.

I haven't seen any green shoots from our spring bulbs yet, but then, again, I haven't looked all that closely. In the past, when the shoots appeared a bit too early and we had a number of hard frosts following, the shoots turned stiff and blue. I thought they were done for. Amazingly, all they suffered in the end were a few brown leaf tips. So there's hope for your bulbs yet!

Actually, it might be a good thing that your fall bulbs haven't gone completely dormant yet. It will give them extra time to grow bigger bulbs. Here's hoping! Thumbs up
Gardener was the label imprinted on me when the souls were handed out and so be it. --Margaret Roach (Thank you, Sharon!) Notes from the Garden: Articles of interest on all aspects of gardening
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