First rose of the year!

...in our garden at least. If only I could "photograph" the fragrance!

Euonymus fortunei

Euonymus fortunei, known in English as "wintercreeper" and in French as fusain de Fortune or fusain de Japon, is a woody perennial vine native to east Asia. Its beautiful foliage, often variegated with yellow or white, brightens many winter gardens in my neighbourhood.

Rubus sp.: foliage and flower buds

Plants in the genus Rubus, subgenus Idaeobatus, known in English as "raspberries" and in French as framboisiers, are thorny shrubs native to many parts of the world.

This plant volunteered in our back yard last year. I'm looking forward to the delicious fruit!

Syringa vulgaris: flowers

Syringa vulgaris, known in English as "common lilac" and in French as lilas commun or lilas français, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to southeast Europe. Its fragrant flowers, usually mauve, are a well known event in spring. This huge lilac is in our neighbours' back yard.

Abutilon megapotamicum

Abutilon megapotamicum, known in English as trailing abutilon or Chinese lanterns, and in French as abutilon du grand fleuve or abutilon grimpant is a shrub native to Brazil with nifty bright red and yellow flowers.

These Chinese lanterns are not cold-hardy and (in Toronto) have to be grown indoors, unlike another plant also known as Chinese lanterns, Physalis alkekengi. I photographed this Abutilon megapotamicum at Allan Gardens.

Pachystachys lutea

Pachystachys lutea, known in English as golden shrimp plant or lollipop plant and in French as panache d'officier or pachystachys jaune, is a tender evergreen shrub with spikes of white flowers emerging from bright yellow bracts.

Here in Toronto, this tropical flower must be grown indoors. I photographed this specimen at Allan Gardens.

Rhododendron simsii

Rhododendron simsii, known in English as Indian azalea and in French as azalé de l'Inde and azalé de Formose, is an evergreen shrub from Asia grown for its masses of pink, white, red, or mauve blossoms.

Not surprisingly, Indian azalea is not hardy enough to withstand Toronto winters. It can, however, be grown as a houseplant, and spend summers outside if desired. I photographed these azaleas at Allan Gardens. And of course, there are hardy azaleas available.

Rosa: bushes and berries in winter

Rosa spp., known in English and French as roses, are shrubs, most native to Asia, but some are native to Europe, North America, and north west Africa. While commonly grown for their beautiful, often fragrant flowers in shades of pink, red, white, or yellow, allowing them to set fruit ("rosehips") extends the shrubs appeal through the cold winter months.

Hydrangea: flowers in winter

Hydrangea spp., known in English as hydrangeas and in French as hydrangées or hortensias, are shrubs native to south and east Asia, and North and South America.

Here in Toronto, these are probably the only flowers you can see outside in the winter (unless they are buried by snow). The flowers persist for months, drying to a light brown but remaining attractive.

Rhododendron: winter

Rhododendron spp., known in English and French by the genus name, are shrubs native to many parts of the world, especially in the northern hemisphere. The species shown is (obviously) a broad-leaf evergreen, one of the very few broadleaf evergreens which can survive Toronto winters.

Rhododendrons are sometimes suggested as a source of "winter interest", but here in Toronto many of them are buried under snow. Also, the leaves become limp in winter; I personally do not find this appealing. The plump buds with their promise of gorgeous spring blossoms are lovely, however.

Hibiscus syriacus: winter

>Hibiscus syriacus, known in English as Rose of Sharon or Rose of Althea and in French as althéa, is a large shrub native to Asia. It is the national flower of south Korea and symbolizes immortality. The gorgeous blossoms may be mauve, pink, or white, often with a red centre, and appear in late summer.

In the winter, the light brown seed pods add a touch of interest.

Hibiscus syriacus: flower

Hibiscus syriacus, known in English as Rose of Sharon or Rose of Althea and in French as althéa, is a large shrub native to Asia. It is the national flower of south Korea and symbolizes immortality. The gorgeous blossoms may be mauve, pink, or white, often with a red centre, and appear in late summer. It self-sows readily.

Lavandula angustifolia: flowers

Lavandula angustifolia, known in English as true lavender or English lavender and in French as lavande vraie is a small (in Toronto, at least) perennial shrub native to the western Mediterranean, especially northern Spain. It is famous for its fragrant greyish-green foliage and small light purple flowers.

Although lavender can grow to be 1 or 2 metres high, here in Toronto I find that it dies back quite a bit each year and is seldom as tall as 50 cm. It is considered evergreen but in Toronto the foliage, while it stays on all winter, dies and turns grey.