Searching for New Growth

We had unseasonably warm weather earlier this week, with a high of 52F/11C on Tuesday. Our forecast next Monday calls for a high of 5F/-15C. I was concerned about the emerging plants...and it turned out my concerns were justified.

Helleborus orientalis

1. I know many of you have Hellebores blooming in winter, but the growth shown here is way too early for my climate. Hellebores generally don't bloom here until March. I added more leaf litter and mulch to protect them. Snow will add a blanket, too.

Phedimus kamtschaticus

2. These Sedum seedlings likely will be just fine; they often form early in the season. But they'll be tested. They're in a barrel, which provides warmth, but they receive little to no snow cover.

Allium 'Ambassador'

3. The Alliums are sprouting around the garden, and some are breaking through the ground. They'll be fine with additional soil, mulch, leaf litter, and snow.

Chrysanthemum x. morifolium hybrid

4. The Mums are on their own...we'll see what happens. I enjoyed the variegated foliage, so I added them to my "six."

Hydrangea arborescens subsp. radiata

5. Before the snow, dried Hydrangea seedheads offered a rusty glow.

Hylotelephium 'Autumn Joy' and Conoclinium coelestinum

6. The remains of 'Autumn Joy' Sedum and Blue Mistflower hugged each other in the warm sun.

That's it for my "Six on Saturday" entries for this week. Thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations for hosting!

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I didn't include this next photo in my "six," figuring most people are tired of snow...

...but here it is. I guess it provides needed projection for plants during the cold days ahead. Stay warm!