Olsynium douglasii (grass widow) (satinflower) is an exquisite little Pacific Northwest native plant. A member of the Iris Family, I really hope that I can grow patches of these here in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

Arbutus unedo 'Compacta' (compact strawberry tree), a relative of madrone, is continuing to bloom now in western Oregon. A hummingbird magnet. these attractive, bell-like flowers add color to the winter landscape.

A brightly-colored blueberry leaf sits among other autumn leaves, lending its texture and brightness to this berm (garden mound.)

These penstemon flowers continue blooming despite subfreezing temperatures overnight. What a boon for local pollinators and a beautiful sight for us in the middle of January!

Would you bee-lieve it? Here we are in the middle of an Oregon winter and the blooming of our Camellia sasanqua 'Kanjiro' is something that is normal. However, here's a little bee pollinating the camellia. That seems so early for bees!

Newberg, OR has a Camellia Festival in spring each year. Our Camellia sasanqua 'Kanjiro' "feels" that our mild winter and voluminous rain this year provides a wonderful atmosphere for rose-shaped blooms.

Seeing the night sky amidst the chill of the night air fills me with awe. We live in such a vast and beautiful universe.