"Nature has undoubtedly mastered the art of winter gardening and even the most experienced gardener can learn from the unrestrained beauty around them."- Vincent A. Simeone
We did indeed learn from the " unrestrained beauty " in the garden this first month of the year. For 3 weekends in a row we had below freezing temperatures and a dusting of snow.
Usually I'm cheered by the winter blooms of my Prunus mume 'peggy clarke ' but alas it had to be severely pruned due to a fungus and will take time to recoop.
I am going to search for some more Prunus mume in the local garden centers in case my current ones don't survive. I would even love to plant one in the front garden so that I can see it from my window.
This winter's freeze also delayed the blooming of the Hellebores, another flower I love that blooms in the winter. The buds emerged but growth stopped when the temperatures plunged to the low 20's several nights in a row. I'm hopeful they will survive to bloom in February. Below is my favorite -a light lime color that shows up very well in its forest setting.
I've also been enjoying another winter bloomer -Edgeworthia ( Chinese paperbush ) and its incredible fragrance.
Meanwhile I'm spending winter planning for Spring. I want to add a witch hazel and more dogwood and viburnums this Spring.
Each day now brings earlier sun rise and later sunset, a sure sign of Spring ! My chickens , after a brief rest, are beginning to lay again.