Skip to main content

Featured

Swapping Huckleberries

Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album)  Himalayan Honeysuckle ( Vaccinium glauco album) has been an attractive feature along our north-facing foundation since I planted it in 2016. You will have to take my word for it since I cannot locate a photo although I know one exists somewhere in the realm of the Internet or floating on a cloud somewhere.  I did locate a photo of how it looked when it was first planted - It took a few years to fill out but it did so nicely to an attractive mound about 2 feet high by 3 feet wide.  Last year, it started to look bad.  I cut it back but it had not improved and this is how it looked a few weeks ago - I decided to rip it out and plant another huckleberry - this time Vaccinium ovatum , more commonly known as the "Evergreen Huckleberry".  This is a plant that I've wanted for ages and kept putting off getting one because I could not find a good place for it. By most accounts, this is an amazing plant, a native one and excellent for
2 comments
Read more
Labels

Another snow day




I can't recall a winter with this much snow. Last night we got another inch or two and the roads are very icy this morning. Michael called within five minutes after leaving for his salon and said that he slid really badly and almost hit another car when he pulled off of our street onto Dr.Hicks Blvd. UNA had initially planned to open at 9:30 but after reviewing the road conditions they decided to stay closed all day.


I just went outside to take these photos and to fill the birdfeeders. The birds were out in full force this morning. There were several red-winged blackbirds and another huge group of black birds that I didn't recognize. We rarely see them at the feeders. 




The sun is out but it is very cold outside. My fingers felt like they were getting frostbit while I was out there. I'm glad to be back inside.


But look at these little daffodils coming up. A sign that spring is surely on the way!




Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Email Post
Labels:

Comments

  1. MashaFebruary 10, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    I am so glad I found your blog! Your pictures of snow are lovely, I miss snow... I read your rose post on the sidebar, and how great to meet another rosarian! Your rose collection is beautiful and unusual. I have a few of the same roses, Buff Beauty and Lyda (such wonderful fragrance!).

    ReplyDelete
  2. GailFebruary 10, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    What a winter~I feel like a broken record, but it sure has been a winter we won't forget! Gorgeous shots Phillip~Love the structure and bones in your garden...They do show fantastically in the snow. gail

    ReplyDelete
  3. chuck b.February 10, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Beautiful!!! It's almost like you garden the rest of the year with snow in mind for winter! :)

    More pictures please!

    ReplyDelete
  4. scottweberpdxFebruary 10, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Is there anything better in the world than a Snow Day!

    ReplyDelete
  5. serial tillerFebruary 10, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Well our school was set to open 2 hours late but I knew this mess wasn't thawing with temps in the 20s all day. Glen tested the roads and advised me to stay put..so I called in. I hope this is the last one. They are forecasting more normal weather for us next week. 50s & 60s. That's more my speed.

    ReplyDelete
  6. DarlaFebruary 10, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Way to much snow going on in this country right now....your photos are beautiful...go bake something I guess, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Becca's DirtFebruary 10, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    It has certainly been a winter to remember. It is pretty to look at though of course from indoors. The 7 day forecast for us here on the coast is sun and warming into the mid and upper 60's next week.

    ReplyDelete
  8. DarlaFebruary 10, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Does your statue lady in the first photo have a veil on?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Annie in AustinFebruary 10, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    Are those snow-puffballs in the lower left corner dried hydrangea heads, Phillip? Your garden looks beautiful and serene with enough snow to be pretty but not so much as to look dangerous ;-]

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

    ReplyDelete
  10. Phillip OliverFebruary 10, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Hi Masha, welcome!

    Darla, she is wearing a plastic bag! lol

    Annie, those are indeed hydrangea heads.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    I got 3 inches at my house. It was dark when I left for work. I couldn't get over the number of vehicles going off the road at the cotton flats south of Tuscumbia. The million dollar de-icer on ONeal Bridge didn't work again. I think the only time it's worked is the hot summer day they tested it. I had my camera with me to take pictures in Tuscumbia on the way home. It was all gone. I have daffodils with blooms ready to open. Can't wait. May have good working weather next week. Mary

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lisa at GreenbowFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    That ice and snow is treacherous. Be careful out there.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jill of All TradesFebruary 11, 2011 at 5:13 AM

    Oh daffodils! I'm so happy to see that. I need to rush out to the cabine and see if mine are up. How exciting! Spring, Spring, Spring!

    ReplyDelete
  14. EveFebruary 11, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    We had the same post title yesterday Phillip!! hahaha! And yes it was! Ok we're done with it now...think SPRING!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. MashaFebruary 11, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    Phillip, your garden site is a treasure. Are you writing your own encyclopedia of roses? I am glad to have met someone who knows so much about roses.

    ReplyDelete
  16. LesFebruary 11, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    We are "enjoying" the same winter here as well.

    ReplyDelete
  17. sweetbayFebruary 11, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Your garden with its thin veil of snow looks beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sharon LovejoyFebruary 12, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    Your place is enchanting. The house, the landscape (even under snow), the wall...absolutely great taste and execution and I can't wait to tune in again.

    Sending warm wishes your way,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

    ReplyDelete
  19. GingerFebruary 12, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    The snow is a hassle, but it sure makes for beautiful photographs! Your property looks like something out of a movie. So peaceful.

    ReplyDelete
  20. JanFebruary 13, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    It looks gorgeous, but then I am where it hasn't snowed all winter. I know so many people that are sick of the snow, cold, ice, and slippery streets. Thank goodness Michael was unhurt. I just keep thinking of the daffodils, a sure sign all this cold will be leaving us.

    Jan
    Always Growing

    ReplyDelete
  21. DFebruary 14, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    Phillip, we are sending warmer temperatures east. :) Even though they are of snow, lovely photos!
    Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts