Plants I'm Growing: First Blooms--Halimiocistus sahucii

First blooms of 2012 yesterday on Halimiocistus sahucii, a low-growing relative of the rock roses. This one looks a lot like Cistus salvifolius, or salvia-leafed rock rose. It stays a little lower, however, its leaves are more delicate and a darker green, and the flower is smaller and a less creamy white. This flower bloomed on March 18 in 2010 and on April 6 in 2011,

Plants I'm Growing--First Blooms: Halimiocistus Sahucii, Pacific Iris

First blooms today on the low-growing rock rose Halimiocistus sahucii and on the Pacific iris under the smoke tree at the front of the house. Halimiocistus sahucii bloomed on April 2 in 2009 and March 18 in 2010, calculating years of 350 days and 384 days, averaging to 367 days. The pacific iris bloomed on April 5 in 2010, for a year of 366 days, very close to an actual year.

The redbud tree by the garage started blooming on April 2 (I note belatedly). The tree first bloomed on March 26 in 2010, for a year of 372 days.

Plants I'm Growing--First Blooms: Lithodora Diffusa, Halimiocistus sahucii

First blooms today (March 18) on Halimiocistus sahucii. When in full bloom, the plant is so profusely covered with flowers that the foliage is barely visible. Today, there is only one pioneering blossom on the plant. It will be at least a week before the flowers really start to take off. Still, it's nice to see even one. Sahucii is a very low grower. It stays within a few inches of the ground. It's excellent for covering bare areas that don't get a lot of water (drought tolerant once established). The sahucii flowers are an almost translucent white. Last year, Halimiocistus sahucii bloomed on April 2 here. A year according to this plant was therefore 350 days.

First blooms yesterday (March 17) on Lithodora diffusa (photo below), a pretty ground cover plant with blue star-shaped flowers. It does fairly well in our dry summers, but appreciates more water than it often gets. As a result, it seems to be happiest in partial shade.

I have no record of the first blooms in 2009, so I can't add this to my botanical calendar, but I record the 2010 first bloom date for use next year.

Plants I'm growing: First Blooms--Cistus salvifolius, Halimiocistus sahucii

First blooms today on two Cistus (Rock Rose) varieties in the garden, Cistus salvifolius (top photo) and Halimiocistus sahucii. When in full bloom, both these plants are so profusely covered with flowers that the foliage is barely visible.

Today, there is only one pioneer on each plant. It will be a week or so before they really start to take off. Still, it's nice to see them. Both plants are low growers. The sahucii stays within a few inches of the ground. The salvifolius forms a mound a few feet across and about 18 inches high. The flowers are similar, but the latter has somewhat bigger flowers of a slightly creamy hue. The sahucii flowers are an almost translucent white.