January and camellias are budding and getting ready to burst. A few have snuck their heads out already, lured by the gentle warm weather of late. It’s a beautiful sight. Here at Farnsworth Park, camellias are popping by the wooden office area. At Descanso Gardens, the camellia forest has a few early bloomers. And if it’s January, it means Nuccio’s Nursery, just up the street from me, is open on Sundays! There’s no place finer for gorgeous camellias and azaleas of all kinds. Nuccio’s is the last of the once bountiful array of nurseries that filled Altadena. They’ve been growing here since 1935. Guess I’ll have to get up there in a couple of weeks and document the 2010 bounty!

Tree Creatures

Now what do you suppose inspired this playful bit of fun? A teddy bear and an alligator. Or is it a crocodile?

And what are they doing in a tree? Is there a childhood story, nursery rhyme, or poem I’m forgetting?

We’re lucky here in Southern California. The popular Christmas ornamental, poinsettia, can be planted and grown to enjoy beyond the holidays. Under the “who knew?” tag, while the plant isn’t as toxic as some have claimed, those senstive to latex may be especially allergic? Get the rest of the lowdown at  Wiki  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poinsettia, or even better, read the Sunset Western Garden Book.

This one is growing at our location of the week, Farnsworth Park.