What's In Bloom? January 2026

 It's summer, it's summer, it's summer!

Summer in Tasmania is pretty incredible. Most days are sunny and between 20 and 25 degrees. This year has been especially wonderful with some unexpected rain and even a WHITE CHRISTMAS (we ventured up to Mount Field on Christmas day, Australia's most southern ski field). It's just been so pleasant and the garden is enjoying it too.

From the pink overload of December, January is a rainbow explosion.

The hardy tropical garden has all of the Hostas in flower and the bumble bees love their flowers. My favourite Hosta is this lovely variegated one. I was never a fan of variegation, but this has recently changed. I adore the foliage of this plant.

The first Canna bloom has just emerged. If you've ever owned a Canna you'll know they multiply like crazy, so within a month the whole tropical area will be fiery with these orange/red blooms.

Hydrangea is still going crazy with more blooms every week.

The courtyard container garden is my most recent project and the Dahlias and Salvias are very happy in their new homes. I love this rainbow display.

I have coveted this beautiful Salvia 'Black and Blue' and finally got a hold of a couple and they are so gorgeous. I love their colour, foliage and hight.

This Dahlias I grew from seed and I think it's my favourite of all of them. I love the gnarly petals and that balayage orange.

Also from seed this pom pom style with yellow to orange is so complimentary to his orange neighbour.

I picked up a few of these 'Candytufts' for free from a roadside plant stall giveaway and I can't believe how pretty they are. I hadn't even heard of them before. 

In a separate garden I have a grouping of dahlias and roses in hues of pinks and they are very captivating.

...such show offs.

In the pond, a beautiful flower on my water lily. I've just done a water change and now have string algae taking over. Sad face. It's never ending with a pond. 

A new pinkish Australian native Brachyscome.

Along the northern side of the house I have a red rose hedge, It nearly never stops flowering. I have never found out exactly the type, but she's pretty.

And last but certainly not least, I was given a very out of date seed packet of an exceptionally beautiful nasturtium which had been sent from the United States. I didn't have high hopes but of the 10 or so seeds I had, one plant came good and would you look at the colouring on the petals. I've never seen anything like it, like beautiful blood spatters. I adore it and and hoping to get many more seeds and future plants.