Are there more adjectives to express my displeasure following the single recent night when temperatures dropped into the twenties (Fahrenheit)? There’s plenty in the garden that continues to bring joy. In fact, the garden was largely undisturbed by the cold, but there’s a problem around every turn. I expect most issues are temporary. There’s no choice but to watch and wait.

Two nights of freezing temperatures a week earlier resulted in hardly a problem, but this freeze was timed to damage newly emerged leaves and flowers. It’s sad to lose so many flowers of Exbury azaleas and the Fringetrees (Chionanthus virginicus, below), but there’s little long term harm except to deny a food source for pollinators. Damage to leaves could be a problem, but I’m guessing it won’t be. I expect to see new leaves on most plants to replace the ones cold-damaged.

I expect it won’t be a problem, but two crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia) in the lower rear garden lost every leaf. Some trees will recover immediately. I’ll soon find out if the crape myrtles will replace the damaged leaves. If not, I won’t be terribly upset. The two dark leafed crape myrtles are too narrow in shape. I’m certain there’s a replacement tree ready to go on my ‘can’t wait to find a spot for it’ list.