Wednesday, December 26, 2007

JACK FROST NIPPING AT YOUR NOSE

Vinca minor 'compacta'

Fallen leaves of Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku' (Coral Bark Maple)

Viburnum davidii

We were delighted to have a white Christmas here in the Northwest. It snowed for a few hours yesterday just enough to cover the ground and make it pretty. From what I hear it's one in twenty years that it snows on Christmas in my area. We don't get snow to often but one thing we do get a lot of is frosts, especially from Nov. 1st to March 15th. Usually they happen between rainstorms. I'll have to say I do like them. There is something very beautiful to me about having everything sugar coated. I do have to be cognisant about putting out annuals to early, but generally I'm very good about being patient and waiting. The textural photos above are a few examples from the other day. The center pictures is of some fall leaves. Some may ask why I haven't raked them up. Well, as long as they are not on the lawn or covering evergreen perennials and shrubs I let Mama Nature do her thing and use it as a mulch. In addition to protecting any deciduous plants it helps keep the weeds down.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful frost pictures and congrats on the 'white' Christmas! On to the New Year!

Randy said...

Love the frost pictures! I'm patiently waiting to snap some myself. I can't wait to wake up and find everything silver! We just don't have frost down here like we use to.

lisa said...

Nice pictures! We had some "hoary frost/frozen fog" up here recently, but I was too busy whizzing off to work for pictures! :( Happy New Year!!

Shady Gardener said...

So, the frost must accentuate the veins of Viburnum Davidii? Does the plant grow so full, or do you trim it? I see that it's a zone 7 - 9. Hmmm, can't grow that here. :-(

Beautiful photographs, all! Best wishes in this upcoming 2008!

Anonymous said...
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KC MO Garden Guy said...

Nice pictures Bob! There is something about everything being covered with frost or snow that makes everything beautiful. But as of now I am over it all and spring can't arrive soon enough. I usally have to wait until the first week in May to set out the annuals or they may freeze.

Happy New Year and you didn't need to send us anything!!

Bob said...

Layanee, Thanks for the kind words.


Randy and Jamie, glad to have your drop by. All the best for the new year.

Lisa, Happy New Year. I hope you get a chance to get some pictures of the freezing frost. It can be really beautiful when the sun comes out right after.

shady, the viburnums grow in full sun to shade. I do love the foliage on these plants, they are used in home landscapes to shopping mall landscapes. So gardeners think they are to basic but I really like them. I have them mixed with other contrasting shrubs and perennials to showcase them ever more. The flowers are nice in early spring and they have really cool blue berries on red stems in fall. If you desire to see them in combination with other plants go to Aug 3rd on my blog title "Combinations 3". Happy New Year to you. Take care, Bob


Cliff, sounds like you need a little winter warmth. I'm really lucky that the winters in the Sound area are generally not nearly as tough as you folks have in the midwest. One thing to savory is the days are getting longer and before you know Spring well be here.
Happy New Year to you and yours, and of course your four legged friends.

Kylee Baumle said...

I adore frost too and your pictures show beautifully just why I do!

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

Great pics Bob, many plants look great when covered by frost.
So far, no snow over here.

Happy New Year with loads of garden and blogging fun!

Andrea's Garden said...

I hope you had a nice Christmas and great start into the new year. We started our new year with snow which was just picture perfect. Frost pictures are great, but I am ready to get my hands on seeds and soil. :-) Take care, Andrea

Anonymous said...
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Dirty Fingernails said...

I remember snow in Feb. of the year 1995. We just had our first child and were shocked that church was canceled because of snow.. Being and Idahoan I had never heard of such a thing.. We got snow today, rare here as well and it was wonderful!!! I am jealous you had it on Christmas!! Happy New Year to you !

lisa said...

Hi Bob...long time no post. No pressure...just sending warm wishes that all is well with you...:)

Anonymous said...

Ah yes, it is good to let Mama Nature do her thing in the garden.
I can't get enough leaves in mine!

vermontflowerfarm@outlook.com said...

Hi Bob;

I'm just getting around to some blogs I like and I have a question for you. One of my sons lives in Seattle and last June when I was out, I went for a walk to a hiking trail he took me to one time. May have been off Renton Ave--some gulch or tail kind of name. Anyway I passed three houses that had passion flowers growing on the fences. One was a gigantic spread. Are those hardy there or do you have to baby them through the winter? They fascinate me with their detail.

George Africa
The Vermont Gardener
http://thevermontgardener.blogspot.com
http://vermontgardens.blogspot.com
http://vermontflowerfarm.com

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