Skip to main content

Featured

A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

Let it snow!



This morning the news programs were talking about the crazy weather across the nation. New Orleans got snow as did other parts of the southeast. We got snow too. It arrived late and was brief but I had never seen it coming down so thick. I didn't pay much attention to the weather until I started gardening. In my observations, when we do get snow, it is usually in late January or February. Snow before Christmas is rare but our weather has been colder for the past month and it is usually mild this time of year. I personally love it!

(Click on the images for larger views)



Some of the trees and shrubs still have leaves so this made the snowfall different and more interesting.

















Comments

  1. Beauty everywhere! with enchanting contrasts! Thanks for the pictures... better than words in this unbelievable situation.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You got much more snow than my garden did, Phillip. It is different looking when the trees still wear their fall foliage---unusual but pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Believe it or not...I'm in NC and it's been hot. I've gone from heat to AC too many times in one day. Very odd indeed. Your snowy garden photos seem unreal but beautiful with the white fluffy adornments. It's cruncy too isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your garden has had a sugar coating sprinkled on it by the garden fairies no doubt. It just makes your garden even sweeter.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The weather was crazy this week. Anytime New Orleans gets snow its news, but in December? It did make your garden lovely though, and your photos are very nice. Let's hope this does not mean dramatically below normal temps. this winter. While you were getting snow, we had temps near 70 and rains that would have made Noah look around for his tool box.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've read about all this snow in the south - here in Buffalo we can still see the grass! We've only had 3-5 inches total the month of November. Although a half-hour south of here along Lake Erie, in the ski areas, they've gotten more than 80 inches total in November.

    Your garden looks good with a little snow. It always looks pretty until there's enough to have to shovel.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Phillip,

    Your garden is lovely all covered with snow! Beautiful photos, too...a winter wonderland. No snow on my Nashville garden!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You have a beautiful garden in all seasons. That snow brings out a new dimension to your always interesting garden. Thanks for sharing it with us. And will you be sharing some pictures of your Christmas decorations again this year?

    Carol, May Dreams Gardens

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love seeing photos of your garden! Even when covered in snow it's still beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  10. A rare and lovely sight -snow in December. I was 10 before snow fell on Alabama.

    Your garden looks really beautiful with its gossamer gown.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I know you enjoyed your snow as much as we did here in South Louisiana. We had almost 3 inches at our house. Loved your lion with the snow picture.

    Jan
    Always Growing

    ReplyDelete
  12. Phillip,

    What stunning garden scenes! I love a dusting of snow like that for the beauty it highlights in the garden.

    I saw the news and couldn't believe it, either. We had severe weather on Thursday (thunder and lightning) which, according to our old southern wives' tales, means we'll have snow within 10 days...maybe a white Christmas?

    Cameron

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh, I hope Cameron's old wives' tale is wrong--no snow, no snow, no snow. But YOURS, Phillip, is wonderful--I love the snow on your lions. We're expecting temps in the high 60's on Monday and I couldn't be happier.

    ReplyDelete
  14. It certainly dresses up the landscape! We picked up about 2 inches unexpectedly in the same system that brought you yours. We spent the morning sledding with the kids. We don't get to do that too often!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm so jealous, what a beauty !

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your garden looks magical in the snow. I love the snow with the statuary.

    ReplyDelete
  17. A wonderland! Just beautiful!
    When I saw the news, I thought of you...so glad you got some of the desired winter weather.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Well the deep south looks like the midwest. Even if only for a few hours I am sure eerything looked great. If wecould limit our winter weather to days or hours that would be fine with me.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I should have known it was you who stole all our snow! Send it on down to Blount Co next time... it hasn't snowed (to stick) since we moved here.

    It looks lovely there though. :)

    I'm with Carol, I'm dying to see more Christmas decoration photos of your place.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks Phillip! Good for you for taking a little break. I'll admit, I'm excited to see your place next year though!

    ReplyDelete
  21. PS-Wasn't the snow wonderful! I love the photos you took! I cannot wait for the day when we have a house and I can garden a larger area :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Gorgeous pix! It almost looks like a movie set..perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  23. About those Christmas decorations - believe it or not, we decided to take a year off from decorating this year! The work, cost, etc. is just overwhelming and we decided to take a break. It was nice getting to go to a Christmas party last night that we were not hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Interesting snow photos, Phillip, with some fall leaf color still showing. We did not get even one flurry here in Vicksburg but 10 miles to the east of here the band of snow began and moved eastward...snowing all the way into Alabama. Very strange weather pattern I must say. Hope y'all have a happy holiday season and all the best in 2009.

    Jon at Mississippi Garden

    ReplyDelete
  25. It's interesting that you're taking a break from decorating this year..me too. We put the tree up and decided to go with just minilights instead of hauling out all of the ornaments I've been collecting for years. I'm sure I've saved two days.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What lovely photos. Your garden is a very serene place. Snow certainly looks different when plants are still all leafed out and green.
    Marnie

    ReplyDelete
  27. Beautiful photos, Phillip. I love your St. Francis at the last. We got some freezing rain this morning, and it's been very cold in Oklahoma, but we missed the worst weather.

    Enjoy your bit of snow.~~Dee

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nice to see gold still hanging in your garden and I love your props - especially the lion.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh Phillip, your garden is always fabulous, but with that snowy sugar coating, it is pure magic. It is still one of the gardens I would most like to visit. Everything about it pleases me.
    Frances

    ReplyDelete
  30. A layer of snow always makes things look wonderful! Tonight our tempature will be below zero for the first time this winter. We usally don't get this cold until Jan or Feb.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts