Does This Have Something To Do With The Mayan Calendar?

Nothing spreads a bit of Christmas cheer like seeing hardy bananas still halfway in-tact this far into December.

Musa basjoo

Since October 1st, it has only dipped below freezing once (to 30F/-1C) on November 10th.  The mild weather has some interesting influences on a few plants.  Some plants think it's late summer...

Rose

Others think it's early spring.

Primula vulgaris

August?

Rubus idaeus 'Caroline'

Plants all over the place are in the wrong season!

Lilium longiflorum

Lewisia cotyledon

Polygala chamaebuxus 'Kamniski'

Speaking of the wrong season, I stuck this bromeliad under these palms for the summer and when I went to go pull it out a month ago, it wouldn't budge!  If it doesn't want to move into the greenhouse, I won't interfere.  Maybe it will survive the winter out here...

Neoregelia princeps

Happy Plants = Happy Me

The elusive thermal trough is back in Seattle.  Sunshine, clear blue skies, and heat (low 80's) are what most plants have been waiting for.  The relatively few plants that like it cool and rainy will manage to survive the party I'm sure. 

A glowing whorl of new growth on Metapanax delavayi

This heat wave (by Seattle standards) is our first after a cooler than normal spring which was beginning to feel like a repeat of last year's 2nd coldest spring on record.

Asphodeline lutea (King's spear)

The nice weather just might give some plants that don't really belong in this climate, like the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), a chance to bulk up a bit.  The bright yellow groudcover is Sedum makinoi 'Ogon', which has so far done a decent job of staying evergreen and seems to spread at just the right rate.

Left to Right: Lewisia cotyledon, Phoenix canariensis, Sedum makinoi 'Ogon', Artichoke foliage, and Opuntia engelmannii

Finally, I planted a couple tomatillos outside last week with a bit of protection.  They are looking good and starting to grow!  Let's keep thinking SUN!!!!

Two Tomatillos