I guess I was a little distracted on Bloom Day this month because I missed these little sweetums blooming (outdoors!) practically right under my nose. Walking from the greenhouse to the house I pass this little clump of heathers (or are they “heaths” when they’re winter flowering?) along the Enclosed Garden path. It was only when I walked that same path in the opposite direction the other day that I noticed them blooming away. Ericas like well drained, acid soil and full sun (according to AHS A-Z) and these definitely exhibit more blooms on winter’s sunny side. — So if you want to plant them for color from a winter window, think about placing them north of your view. This grouping includes Erica carnea ‘December Red’ (purple in the middle), ‘Springwood White'(front), ‘Myretoun Ruby’ (right) and E. x darleyensis ‘Mediterranean White’ (in the way back).

Taking the path from the Bosquet to the Water Garden yesterday I snuck up on the witch hazels and was surprised to find what I was looking for – Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Diane’ is starting to pucker up her lipstick blooms. Have you checked your witch hazels lately? Yo-yo winter weather might get them started before you know it.

In the greenhouse another fun surprise: Our Graptopetalum -probably a cultivar of G. paraguayense– is busy making babies.

If that’s not an excellent example of survival of the of the most opportunistic I don’t know what is. (Of course I gave new homes to all the kids I found.) Anything suprise you this week?