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.
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| 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 or April. I added more leaf litter and mulch to protect them. Snow will add a blanket, too.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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."
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| Hydrangea arborescens subsp. radiata |
5. Before the snow, dried Hydrangea seedheads offered a rusty glow.
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| 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!
We're all looking for new growths right now. And yes, you're right, the impatience is there, and for me, it's more about January and February than November and December… Good luck with the new cold snap that's coming...
ReplyDeleteSo true, Fred. Thanks for the good luck wishes: We're getting quite a bit of snow today, so it's adding a "warm" blanket to everything. I'm sure the plants will be just fine. :)
DeleteIt doesn't seem to take much warmth for plants to peek their way out of the soil! I hope that whatever cold is left to come, that it's not too devastating for the new growth. Austin is set for its first freeze tomorrow morning, though it'll be a light one. Tina
ReplyDeleteHi Tina: It's fascinating to get a peak at what's happening under the leaf litter and mulch when we get a temporary warm-up and the snow melts. I'm glad you won't get a heavy freeze. Still, stay warm!
DeleteI hope all the new shoots of this and that are nice protected under their mulches. I always worry about my Hydrangea which seems to insist on producing new leaves around now - just in time for the frosts.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I know what you mean about the Hydrangeas. It's so frustrating. I have a couple of H. macrophyllas that probably won't flower again this year because of the dramatic shifts in weather. They get the signal: "Hey it's warm and time to form buds!" And then we get a deep freeze with subzero temps, and those buds are gone! :(
DeleteThose weather flip-flops are annoying, as well as troublesome. I hope your hellebores and other plants are able to manage the shift, Beth.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kris! They surprise me every year, so they'll probably be just fine. We have plenty of snow this year, so that helps. :)
DeleteGood for you, finding green at this time of year! If it weren't for the evergreens, it would be very dreary out my window. I love the lacy look of the snow covered shrubs!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how many plants start breaking through the soil surface in midwinter. It's hopeful, but I know we have many more weeks of snow and cold. :(
DeleteHere in Quebec, we've had strange swings in temperatures. But nothing so far that would encourage spring (we just had about 8 inches of snow).
ReplyDeleteBut our landscape in Asheville is certainly experiencing this; a cherry tree next to us was already trying to flower in December.
Loved your picture of the snow, we never get much here where I live! It must be providing a nice cosy blanket for all your new shoots and will keep them nice and warm!
ReplyDeleteSorry, didn't mean to be anonymous!
ReplyDeleteI love the last picture with the snow. I find the light when it has snowed so uplifting and it highlights the structure of trees and shrubs. It just makes me want to be outside quite the opposite of what it is like in the UK today. Here we have very low and heavy clouds, 'mizzle' and poor light. Enjoy the blanket of snow. Noelle
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a blanket of snow! It really looks lovely, your photo is awesome - there isn't a single track or step in the fresh snow. The hydrangea photo is really nice, too.
ReplyDelete