The 2024 Garden Year
January 19, 2024 January Our year started with snow, ice and frigid temperatures in mid-January. Our temperatures stayed below freezing for almost a week. I think it was the most consistent cold that we've experienced since moving here. Fortunately, it was a dry snow so there wasn't too much damage. Once again, we almost lost the azara and I'm afraid there would have been some breakage if I had not kept knocking the ice off. February 14, 2024 February In past years, it seems that inclement weather seems to hit around Michael's birthday in mid-February. After the January snow and ice, this month was actually quite tame. Nothing exciting to report - mostly birdwatching . Early flowers like hellebores, cyclamen and crocus begin to bloom in mid month. March 3, 2024 March I got into a walking routine which I'm happy to report I am continuing this year. You get to the point where you feel guilty if you miss a day. I do miss days occasionally but I'm learning that ...
Oh Phillip, pretty but dangerous! I was just thinking that would be very bad for when my grands visit and like to run full speed through the hilly paths. Falls happen then, and I fall often too, you have heard of the slippery slope, well it lives here! I can admire the thorny beauty of this, but could not plant it here. Thanks for showing it, and glad you were careful with the pruners! I know that roses can be bad too, and the pyracantha.
ReplyDeleteFrances
That's a very interesting plant. I don't think I've heard of it before. Are the fruits edible?
ReplyDeleteI kind of like those thorns. But then again, I'm not the one that has to prune it!
ReplyDeleteIs this the same (or similar) to a mock orange? I don't do well with thirny plants...I always manage to injure myslef on them!
ReplyDeletePhillip, That is some nightmare...the thorns do look lethal! Like Frances...those thorns scare me and after being smacked in the face with a thorny branch of pyracanthra I am shy of thorns! Does it have a nice fragrance?
ReplyDeletegail
There's no questioning the defences of this plant.
ReplyDeleteThose are serious thorns.
Great looking mind, I like this Orange.
Frances, I would not want it anywhere near where children play.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I've heard that the oranges can be used to make marmalade but they are very bitter.
Dirt Princess, this is not the same as a mock orange.
Gail, I would hate to be slapped in the face with this!
Oh, I've thought long and hard about where one of these could go in my garden, Phillip. But I haven't found a spot yet. (And having children wouldn't stop me. They already watch out for agaves and prickly pear.) It's a very cool-looking plant.
ReplyDeleteYour worry about getting impaled while pruning reminded me of last weekend, when I lost my balance while pruning an unruly pyracantha and nearly did a Bre'r Rabbit in the briar patch. It was that close. Whew!
That is planted ALL OVER our North Carolina Zoo! It's planted along the miles of pathways, here and there in the wooded areas.
ReplyDeleteCameron
I think a killer orange tree is fine for where a kid might play. Though, I guess it depends on how much you like the kid.
ReplyDeleteWhat a plant! I've never seen one before. I am sure they are not hardy in my neck of the woods (Ohio, zone 5). I think I'm glad! Beautiful, though.
ReplyDeleteI can attest to the danger of this plant. I had it for several years. It never did bloom for me but it grew and those thorns were evil. My garden buddy has it now. She's got a much bigger yard and her kids are grown. And all's well. :)
ReplyDeleteWe haven't seen this side of you ;) What do you call it when not using its proper name......MrD would kill me if I planted that.
ReplyDeleteI have a weeping Yaupon holly guarding the boundary of my garden where the boy next door insists upon riding his bicycle through; next to that is a clump of the dreaded Eleagnus! I can't wait to dress that area up with one of your oranges! Really, I love children, just not in my perennial beds!
ReplyDeletePhillip,
ReplyDeleteThe ederly lady that taught me to garden had one of those in her yard. I never like the sight of those huge thorns. It would be my luck I would fall into it too.
I admit I love prickly plants (well, except invasive buckthorn, but that's a whole 'nother story!), perhaps because I'm a bit prickly myself! Up here in the frozen tundra, I had never heard of hardy orange, but it seems pretty cool. I'm assuming the fruit itself does not taste good to humans. Does any wildlife eat it? (P.S. I love finding out about the plants in other zones!)
ReplyDeletePoncirus has a certain wicked charm, but we have enough stuff here already that has thorns. So I will just admire photos of it in your garden. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post. I'm not familiar with this plant and have not seen them on the west coast. But I kind of think the thorns are neat. Certainly great winter interest. With the white flowers in Spring and orange fruit later, I'd consider it in the back part of large bed.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, BOB
To Commenter Tim: The previous owner of our house planted 2 of those "dreaded eleagnus" at the side borders of our back yard. IMO they have no redeeming features, and I always wondered why she put them in. Didn't occur to me that it might be to keep neighborhood kids out!
ReplyDeleteThe hardy orange looks pretty, but my yellow lab would have a field day with the oranges. I would no doubt find them all over the yard. Will avoid that one. :)
Great photographs! I especially love that second one, but oh my!
ReplyDeleteHey...did you get some good rain? I've been thinking of you the last few days as I watch the weather channel.
Ouch!
ReplyDeletePhillip, I'm glad you came wandering into the Midnight Garden this weekend, since I was able to track your link back and discover your wonderful garden!
ReplyDeleteWe have some early spring bulbs coming on around here, but shows like you've already got well-underway are dreams for later months.
Thanks for sharing!