The winter season has been much colder than usual here in Central Alabamal. Since there has been such cold, I have not posted in several weeks.
We are coming through 12 days with frost but the forecast is for much milder weather next week. Rambling through the garden today, there is much more interesting photos for posting. Here we go.
The Camellia japonica was bravely blooming before the cold spell. You can see the effect of temps well below freezing. Some neighbors made a valiant effort to cover their camellias with various covers and blankets but to no avail.
The oak leaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia) is showing signs of budding today. If you look really hard, you will see them. Mostly, you will see the pretty winter color of this delightful native shrub.
The limelight hydrangea (H. paniculata) is in winter mode with the persistent panicles but its buds are also beginning to swell. Once I see the buds, I plan to harvest the limbs for propagating and then I will prune these shrubs back to 18 inches or so.
The Hellebore to the left is in a protected shady spot and is blooming magnificently. Soon, its brethren in less sheltered spots will be blooming also. That is my hope.
The Hellebore ‘Fire and Ice’ has been blooming for several weeks now. It seems to be a sterile hybrid.
The Salix species is beginning to open nicely. I purchased two one gallon pots of this species last year. These remind me of the Polish legend I heard in my youth. The mother cat was crying for her kittens that fell into the water while chasing butterflies. The willow branches bent their branches into the water to rescue them. In spring, the trees sprouted soft, fur-like buds where the kittens clung.
I hope to join Six on Saturday in the morning. Come join other gardeners showing their six current photos. Follow the rules and post your own. Here is the site hosted by Jim Stephens. https://gardenruminations.co.uk/2022/11/05/six-on-saturday-a-participant-guide/
Happy Gardening.!!
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The cold snap seems to be over. We can see clear skies in your photos and apparently no snow. You didn’t get any? I think that’s the worst thing for camellias.
We did not have any snow. Or ice!! It bypassed us. Cities of Oxford, Mississippi and Nashville, Tennessee, where my son lives, are just now having power restored to all customers.
Hope your cold spell is over and that your plants can now flower without being frosted. Your hellebores are beautiful, this is a lovely time of year for them.
Agreed. In bloom now is hellebores, edgeworthia and very soon daffodils.
That’s such a lovely legend! How sweet!
The hellebores look cheerful.
I’m unable to resist stroking the furry buds of a Salix. Lovely Hellebores.