Hi GPODers!
As a lifelong New Englander, it can be hard to imagine winter as anything but a season of subdued colors and skylines of bare branches. However, gardeners in other regions of the United States, and throughout the world, don’t expect any part of their gardens to slow down during this time of year. This is exactly the case for Barb in Oakland, California (Zone 10). While snow has transformed my landscape into a sea of white, winter rains have brought fresh foliage and vibrant blooms to Barb’s coastal California garden.
I’ve been gardening at this location since 2013. While the rest of the country is struggling with cold winter temperatures, California is just greening up with our winter rains. My garden is mostly native, and I wanted to show some of my early blooming flowers, both native and non-native.
Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry (Ribes speciosum, Zones 7–10). It begins to leaf out on the first rain of the year. We had October rain, and it started leafing out then. Blooms started shortly after that.
Mushroom found in Marin on a hike
A sticky monkeyflower (Diplacus aurantiacus, Zones 8–11) with bright orange blooms
Close-up of Ribes speciosum flowers: The hummingbirds love these early bloomers.
Dutchman’s pipevine (Aristolochia californica, Zones 8–10): another early bloomer
Another currant, this one from the Channel Islands. Catalina currant (Ribes viburnifolium, Zones 6–10) is evergreen. This is the first year it bloomed, so I don’t know what I’ll get or what the berries will look like.
Silk tassel bush (Garrya elliptica, Zones 8–11) makes a wonderful screen against a chain-link fence.
Common manzanita (Arctostaphylos manzanita, Zones 7–10) is another California native with beautiful blooms. These delicate, urn-shaped flowers emerge in spring and become blush-colored berries later in the season.
Non-natives but still blooming this time of year: Fuchsia (Fuchsia ‘Delta’s Sarah’, Zones 7–10) bloom with begonia in the background.
First daffodil flower (Jan. 8)
Thank you so much for sharing your plants with us, Barb! For those of us with gardens buried under piles of snow, it’s fascinating to see landscapes that come to life during the winter.
Whether your garden is nothing but funky forms created by a thick blanket of snow, or already bursting with life thanks to an assortment of winter bloomers, consider sharing your winter garden with the blog. Follow the NEW directions below to submit your photos to Garden Photo of the Day!
We want to see YOUR garden!
Have photos to share? We’d love to see your garden, a particular collection of plants you love, or a wonderful garden you had the chance to visit!
To submit, fill out the Garden Photo of the Day Submission Form.
You can also send 5–10 photos to [email protected] along with some information about the plants in the pictures and where you took the photos. We’d love to hear where you are located, how long you’ve been gardening, successes you are proud of, failures you learned from, hopes for the future, favorite plants, or funny stories from your garden.
Do you receive the GPOD by email yet? Sign up here
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.
New England Springport Arbor Trellis
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
The New England Springport Arbor brings classic style and smart function to any garden. Its flat-top design and crisp white vinyl finish create a clean, modern look—without the upkeep.
Perfect for small-space gardening, the half-lattice side panels support climbing plants like roses, clematis, or grapes, helping you grow vertically when ground space is limited.
Built-in eye hooks make it easy to hang flower baskets or garden décor, while the open top allows sunlight to filter through.
Whether used to frame a narrow path or define a cozy corner, this arbor adds structure, height, and charm to any small outdoor space.
