Mid-April we had several days of very cold weather, with temperatures at night below 20 degrees. Many of the plants in my garden had already leafed out, and others were blooming. I tried to cover plants that I thought might be most fragile.
After four days, as the weather began to warm back up, I uncovered everything, and began to survey the damage. The hostas looked the worst, with leaves that looked like they'd been boiled. My fruit trees had all bloomed already. More damage showed up after a few days, with leaves turning brown, and flower stalks crumpling. My garden looked like a disaster zone, and I wondered how much I'd have to replace.
By now, a couple of weeks later, many of the plants have recovered, with just some leaf damage remaining. The dogwood buds had turned black, and I thought it would not bloom this year, but yesterday I found new buds forming. The hostas have all formed new leaves. I still don't know if some newer plants, decorative grass, crape myrtle and decorative oregano, have survived. I assume the fruit trees will not bear this year.But overall, I am most encouraged by how well most of the garden has dealt with such an extended period of extreme cold.
1 comment:
Glad to hear beauty is returning to your garden! As I was reading your post it reminded me that life is often that way, too...things look hopeless and dead, but that's not the end of the story. I'm so thankful!
Your pictures are gorgeous. That blue columbine photo would make a good poster or background wallpaper.
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