Chilly Start

This past fall's weather was something of a practical joke played on those who had turned to xeriscaping. What roots remained thru all the rain of October may be getting their final tests this early part of the new year. The cold started at New Year's and hasn't let up. Bark split, dried foliage on broadleaf evergreens, frozen pipes all combine as the latest threat to our gardens.
I've been keeping my eye on my plants, and have good things to report.

Just out of the office door, I can already smell the Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) .What a magnificent plant for southeastern gardens, and one that is almost gone from the trade. This plant laughs at cold, blooms profusely all winter, and one small branch of flowers will fill the whole house with a heavy perfume.

The cold has only intensified colors on many of the plants. This special cultivar of the Nellie Stevens holly (Ilex x 'Yellow Nellie R Stevens' is screaming yellow, and loaded with red berries.

Thujas 'Morgan and 'Roger's Aurea Sport show off their intense winter coats and the Algerian Iris (Iris unguicularis) continues to bloom unfazed, as does my very special Michelia macclurei.




Even potentially fussier plants seem to have managed this prolonged cold spell.

The Century Plant (Agave americana) still seems turgid and surviving.

Our favorite Mahonia 'Soft Caress' is always a worry, but looks completely untouched after two weeks below freezing and low temps below 10 degrees.
I am feeling very optimistic about how we'll get thru to spring. This probably also has to do with my keen awareness that the days are getting longer!!
I found a quote that seems to fit my mood today-

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."
Albert Camus

Hang in there.....