1202 - Clarkia

The clarkia in the garden between the garage doors has done quite well this dry, warm winter.

1202 - Cosmos

The cosmos in the front gardens have thrived this winter, many of the plants at least three-feet tall by three-feet wide.

Some of the pink flowers are nearly as big as your hand.

1202 - Cabbage Poppy

This cabbage poppy surprised us when it sprang up among the roses in the garden between the garage doors. Its flowers are nearly as big as your hands cupped together to catch water.

1201 - Larkspur

I cut and brought indoors this pink larkspur just before it rained hard for a few days.

1201 - Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe has become one of my favorite genus of succulents, this species quite happy in our gardens, its leaves turning dark blue, then pink, as it sends up foot-long, pink flower stems.

When the bell-shaped flowers open, their interior will be bright orange.

1201 - Hyacinth

Since heavy rains have failed to arrive this winter, I've been surprised by the dozens upon dozens of hyacinths now emerging in the gardens.

One cut flower on the mantel is enough to perfume the front of the house.

1201 - Tac

Here are a few photographs of Tac hanging out with me in the gardens on a very windy day not too long ago.

Her winter coat gets so long, Phil takes to calling her "Badger."

1201 - Cabbage Poppy

Our unusually dry and warm December encouraged this cabbage poppy to bloom, its flower half the size as ones blooming in the spring, but spectacular nonetheless.

111226 - Larkspur and Sweet Peas

Today I photographed the sweet peas and larkspur in bloom at the top left of the terraces.

Despite this being the last week of December, the burgundy sweet peas show no sign of fading, their vines at least six feet long and now blocking the staircase running alongside the fountain.

The purple larkspur has just bloomed beside other larkspur and a cabbage poppy on the verge of flowering, too.

1112 - Kalanchoe

Several years ago, a friend gave us a kalanchoe from Hawaii.

He suggested we put it in a pot, but we unwisely ignored his advice.

The kalanchoe quickly spread across one of the lower terraces, so we were forced to put black plastic and heavy rocks around it in an effort to slow its growth.

Every fall, it goes into bloom.

I took this photograph yesterday of its flowers, which last a few weeks, are about the size of your thumbnail and smell like honeysuckle.