Fretting over plants

The recent cold snap is finally breaking and with it a sense of relief. I always worry about certain plants during the winter. Actually, when looking at the recent temperatures, they don't look too bad. After all, the lowest temperature we had was in the low teens. It was the span of the cold that makes me wonder. We had a ten day (more or less) period of temperatures below freezing. Maybe this is not as bad on plants as a sudden freeze that comes out of the blue.

One plant that was on my mind was the Armandii clematis and I suppose the reason I thought about it a lot is because I can see it easily outside the window. That and the fact that this is my second attempt to grow it. One website says that it is hardy to -5. I don't know about that but perhaps it is hardier than I imagined. I mulched it heavily with pine straw and can only hope for the best. Looking at it today, it looks fresh and revived.

Last night was another frigid one with temperatures around 20. The forecast for the next ten days is warmer days and low temperatures all above freezing. It is going to feel really good!