An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

January 26, 2013

Be Careful What You Wish For

Earlier in the month I was lamenting the lack of winter, mainly because the plants were too far along, and the bug population around here could use some thinning. Well, real winter arrived this week, and it has been miserable outside, at least by local standards.  I realize there are colder places to live, but I am at my northerly limit. We had our first snow last night, and I must admit it was pretty outside this morning, the silver lining (or should that be white) to winter weather.

Iris unguicularis
Iris in Snow


Lagerstroemia in Snow

Camellia japonica 'Les Marbury'
Camellia in Snow

Poncirus trifoliata
Poncirus in Snow

Camellia japonica 'Crimson Candles'
Camellia in Snow (2)

A neighbor's fence is nearly choked by wisteria.
Wisteria in Snow

Chaenomeles x 'Hime'
Chaenomeles in Snow (2)


Chaenomeles in Snow

Knitting Mill Creek
Knitting Mill Creek in Snow

June-January

30 comments:

  1. Burrrrr! (but pretty...as long as it's not in my garden)

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  2. Oh my! It's gorgeous but I hope your southern garden survives. Please send the snow back to Maine. We miss it.

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  3. Beautiful pictures as usual. The snow on the crepe myrtle creates such a sculptural picture. My fav for sure. I was "wishing" for colder temps for the same reason as you. The critter population could use a thinning. I think the only blooms I have in my garden now is winter Jasmine. I hope it warms up a bit before my camellia blooms.

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  4. some truly beautiful pictures there! LOVE the crepe Myrtles, any idea what kind they are? That bark is spectacular. You got a lot more snow than we did, just a sprinkling last week, and mostly ice yesterday. I sure would love a real snowfall, especially if it was during the day and I got to see those pretty snowflakes falling.

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  5. Les, I cannot imagine that it normally snows there at this time of year as I'm pretty sure Iris don't do well in snow ... Your photos are lovely nevertheless.

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  6. When I want to complain about this bit of cold I just think about the ticks. There's a silver lining to everything.

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  7. Les, I love the snow on those Crape Myrtles. Those glorious trees are interesting year 'round!

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  8. You now have about as much snow as we do. I like your picture of the trees.

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  9. Beautiful!
    I just love Crimson Candles as much for their flower buds as for their flowers. They look like little lipsticks!

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  10. There is something magic abut snow in the garden. I wouldn't mind a couple of days although everything is so far ahead this year I would probably be cringing. I remember when we lived in Montreal having a very late snow in May. All the blossom was out on the fruit trees. What am I talking about it is only January,. Down here it seems like March.

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  11. Beautiful images, I love the way the odd spark of colour is peaking out from beneath the snow. And what a contrast in those last two shots! But think of all those frozen bugs...

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  12. So very pretty. Would we value the summer if not for the winter?

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  13. In central CT it's been miserable by local standards as well. Although I've lived in New England all my life, in central CT I am currently living at the most southernly point ever and at my northernly limit as well. Extreme cold is just not tolerable for me anymore. Maybe I'm just getting old. Yes, that must be it!

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  14. Love it or hate it, snow does lend itself to some wonderful photos!! Love the trunks of the crape myrtles along the street, and of course your Flying Dragon...snow accents all those curved thorns.

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  15. The contrast of the fallen iris against snow says it all. Welcome to winter!

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  16. The snow on the crape myrtle boughs is beautiful. We just got sleet and freezing rain here.

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  17. You may not like cold but WOW! Those were fabulous pictures you braved the elements to take.

    Here in Galveston, TX we think we only had one frost - a surprise I walked onto with my bare feet. However it only lasted a few minutes and even the eggplants are still growing.

    And our roses say its spring even though the third weekend in February is usually the first day of spring for us.

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  18. I know it's hard on the plants but the images of the blossoms with the snow are very nice. I have yet to see even a hit of our Iris u. in blossom. Last year it flowered at the beginning of December. Maybe the plant knows something that I didn't about the current cold streak...

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  19. Les,
    I do wish we could get some snow! Your photos are ALWAYS fantastic, but I particularly like the trees. If you are tired of the white stuff send some my way!

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  20. The snow on the blossoms is very pretty though....makes me want to go out and check on my camellias to see if there are any blossoms decorated with snow.

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  21. I love the snow in the garden and your images show why!

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  22. It's lovely to see your winter garden. Love the images of the snow on the branches and blooms, especially the last one of the chaenomeles.

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  23. What beautiful pics! We've had small amounts of snow but nothing shovelworthy. What a beautiful post. :o)

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  24. It IS beautiful. At least your pictures make it son. That hardy orange looks lethal. I have been thinking of growing it-do you recommend it?

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  25. Your garden looks lovely in snow but I couldn't have picked a better time to be in St. Lucia.

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  26. The weather reports are looming with bad snow news. They are expecting blizzard conditions, so I agree, be careful what you wish for. Nice snowy photos. It is my favorite time of year for photos.

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  27. Oh so beautiful! But not to drive in.

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  28. Poor blooming plants. Maybe a few bugs will die.~~Dee

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