As I write this, it’s a drizzly, dreary first day of January on the Gulf Coast. Although I’m still dealing with a few technical issues, I can finally write blog posts again for my WordPress site. That being the case, I’ll show you the current state of my garden. I’ll start with the top photo of a camellia sasanqua that I’ve enjoyed so much for a couple of months. But pictures can tell any story we choose.

Truth is, I haven’t worked in the flower beds for at least four months due to some serious back/spine problems. I’m on the mend now, so I’m slowly getting back out there. In the photo collage above, you see the wilted gingers from some chilly fall nights, and the bottom section shows the overgrown rectangle beds – just two of many areas needing trimming and weeding.

The back beds have survived on their own, being filled by some annual white impatience, tall firespikes, and elephant ears. Unfortunately, they’re all facing our first freeze in a couple of nights, so they’ll be a mushy mess next week. You can’t see October Snow Camellia sasanqua that I featured as the first photo, but it’s in the background. It’s a young shrub, so I hope it grows taller than the front plants.

Some filler-types, like Mexican heather, are at their best now. These tiny, shrubby plants work to give a little color to otherwise drab or dead areas. They usually go well with pansies and violas, but I haven’t planted any.

Silly forsythia thought it was spring and has started to bloom. Poor thing will be surprised by the Sunday night freeze.

This bud is technically my last rose of 2021. It, too, will be stopped by Old Man Winter. It won’t be long before this shrub gets a proper pruning to start fresh in this New Year.

As soon as my back is stronger, I can get out there on mild winter days, taking my time to make those beds more presentable.

I wish you a healthy, Happy New Year. May the Lord bless and keep you.

Shalom, Dottie

I want to credit the guy who founded this fun Six on Saturday idea. He lives in Great Britain, and his Twitter handle is @cavershamjj You can find his blog at:https://thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com/