To this date in early February, the winter’s temperatures have fit precisely into the definition of zone 7a with a recent overnight low of three degrees (Fahrenheit). By a long shot, this can not be called a severe winter, though it has been considerably colder than ones in recent years.

While winter temperatures have not been unusual, a number of oddities have been noted in the garden. First, with snow covering the ground for several weeks, evidence of visiting deer is abundant. More damage has been noted, including injury to a mugo pine (Pinus mugo) that I never considered protecting with the repellent. There are numerous instances of deer rutting damage, and the lower rear garden is littered with deer poop, which is not harmful but an unusual sight in this quantity. In future winters, I must add a sign in the rear garden that “residents only are permitted to use the restroom.”

Several marginally cold hardy evergreens seem to have survived cold several degrees lower than their preferred low, though injury often can not be verified until weeks later. While leaves of rhododendrons and several other broadleaf evergreens droop and curl for protection when temperatures fall into the mid-twenties, I’ve seen that anise shrubs (Illicium floridanum) often continue to droop later into the afternoon when temperatures rise above freezing.

Most leaves of two variegated anise shrubs (Illicium floridanum ‘Pink Frost’, above) have returned to form with temperatures rising into the fifties but with leaves at branch tips continuing to droop severely. I suspect this is permanent damage that will require pruning, but I won’t be certain for another week or two. This is hardly a concern since one of the anise shrubs was overdue for pruning as it has begun to encroach on the stone path.

Several evergreens are showing more brown leaves or needles than I’ve seen in recent winters, but again, I’m not concerned. All have experienced temperatures ten degrees colder in the past. I wondered in recent years if we’d ever experience temperatures falling near zero again, and here it is. Happily, we’re back to milder temperatures with a few warm days that tease that spring’s just a few weeks off. Today, I monitor swelling buds instead of melting snow.