Hints ...Of N. H. Spring ....2025

[Silas_Sancona]

Yeah, yeah..  it may only be the beginning of January   ..Sure,  majority of the " Good Stuff " is half way through their cool season naps and whatever they might be dreaming about while at rest,  if they do. 

Despite that,  that doesn't mean there aren't already some hints of warmer and longer days ahead around the yard..  so, despite any eye rolls from those far removed from here, stuck firmly in winter mode, ..or those folks who simply don't understand how the seasons can play out here in the desert,   starting the " Spring thread " ahead of schedule this year..  Like it  ..or not..  No worries from me..


While some dread a dry and warm winter here,  ..it can have it's positives..   Cool season wildflowers may be  shorter and more sparse this year compared to the last two ..but they're out there,  and already popping..

At the same time, extended warmth thus far means the last of the Mexican Sunflowers (  ..Tithonia rotundifolia  )  are still flowering, though their ...extended... time on stage is quickly coming to an end.  Pulled the rest over the weekend.  ....While the  other " Bridge Between Seasons " this year  kick into gear,  despite any lurking in the background threats for being nipped by a chilly morning or two thru the month..

Simply put, if you live somewhere where it doesn't get cold enough to kill off everything,  and you're bumming about how bare your yard might look this time of year, ..you might not be looking at the full potential that exists to have ...at least.. some color around,  even thru the coolest portion of the year.  When i say " color " ..i mean flowering thingzz,   not leafy stuff..

Already seeing the same hints around your yard? ..add 'em as they step on stage..


 

Phacelia campanularia..  As mentioned elsewhere, starting their flowering season quite early this year, literally on New year's Day..  For me, these are the first, solid bell weather ( no pun intended ) hint as to just how long " winter " might stick around..  Earlier they start flowering = earlier arrival of spring - type weather.. 

Looking over ..8 years of photo records, earliest i have seen them start flowering is ..mid Jan..  with the start of Feb. being a rough average " Start date "

While this year's display may be pretty short n' patchy,  ..they'll be around, as well as some other stuff that managed to pop up this year ...Bluebonnets, Goodding's Verbena,  etc..

....As long as some stuff pops, not every year needs to be as good as the wetter winter years can be..





While the lazy Lion ( Shot #2 ) takes it's time getting there,  it is the White " Hippie ",  planted last,  that wins this race this year..  Other two Hippeastrum planted so far are just starting to move..  Because these are semi forced bulbs, would expect their annual flowering cycle will likely adjust itself to a more typical March - May cycle over time ...is my casual assumption at least..







Spiny ..but one of the most reliable plants in the yard..  Solanum houstonii  ** formally S. tridynamum **  from Sonora..  Like Bougainvillea, i really can't think of a time when this plant doesn't have -at least-  a few flowers on it..  Cut this particular specimen back about a month ago  ..flowering already..




Where'd the yard go?  ...While the opening act may have arrived right on X-Mass Eve,  Show is just getting started..  Occupying a 22' X 11' section of the yard this year,  there will be no shortage of Sunflowers blooming / seed for the Gold Finches and Lovebirds that i'm sure will find them shortly  ..thru the dead of  " winter.... "






















I see you....




Who ever said that Sunflowers were strictly a warm season / summer flowering plant certainly did not do their homework, at least to the extent of looking at whether or not such advise should include warm -enough- all year locations like here in the low desert.  This is year #2 of growing " winter " Sunflowers  ..and last year was wet  n' a touch more chilly than winter 24 / 25 should end up.

A great example of doing your own homework, rather than simply assuming what is written on a seed package / casual advise shared by someone at a garden center is always 100% accurate gospel..

Actually think they look better this time of year than they have during the summer ...no blast furnace level heat stressing them out.