A curious mix of snow, sleet, and ice has again coated the garden, fortunately not to a depth so that it will melt quickly on the first afternoon that rises above freezing. A comparative heat wave is forecast for the coming week (temperatures in the fifties, Fahrenheit) so this precipitation will soon be forgotten. Instead,…

Years ago, every spell of temperatures nearing zero (Fahrenheit) brought concern for the survival of camellias in the garden, or at least for flower buds of spring blooming Camellia japonicas that typically managed only a few scattered flowers as many buds were cold damaged. Today, I fret only that flowers in late winter are quickly…

Today, the first color peeks from slowly swelling buds of ‘Arnold Promise’ witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold Promise’, below). With a spell of frigid temperatures on the way, peak flowering is likely to be further delayed. Still, spring is on the way, and once the witch hazels are flowering milder days must be around…

One of two ‘Silver Cloud’ redbuds that overhang the small greenhouse leans at an extreme angle. It has nearly fallen over, though its roots remain intact and the tree shows no sign of ill health. Both redbuds have leaned to a lesser degree towards the sun for years (decades) as they are backed up to…

Today, as the neighborhood turns green, this shaded garden remains mostly snow covered, but with pockets of thawed, bare ground. At long last, I have mapped the areas, expecting these are the protected microclimates that will best support more cold tender treasures that often entice me. Several wait in the small greenhouse for spring planting,…

This winter that started so mild, encouraging blooms from several hellebores by mid December, has turned chilly, not cold, but the progression of blooms has been slowed. The Vernal witch hazels (Hamamelis vernalis, below), typically dependable bloomers by mid January, have not quite reached their peak in early February. Hybrid witch hazels (Hamamelis x intermedia)…

In mild recent winters, and even when temperatures plunge a few degrees below zero (Fahrenheit) there will be flowers in this Virginia garden. With mild temperatures there will be more blooms, earlier, in January instead of later in February, but there is not a winter day without flowers. Flowers of witch hazels, mahonias, and snowdrops…

This is not a blizzard. In fact, this has been a gentle snowfall, perhaps four or five inches deep, and notable only because it’s the deepest snow we’ve experienced in a few years. I would be happy enough to do without, but no damage was done. With several chilly days ahead the snow will be…

Today is blustery and cold, barely above freezing by mid afternoon, but the sun is shining after several damp days so I must get out into the garden. There are no chores that must be done immediately, but areas of hellebores have become congested by seedlings, so this seems a reasonable task for the day…

After viewing a presentation on public gardens scattered across this country, I was reminded to revisit my photos of gardens in the Pacific Northwest in June 2018 and 2019 that most inspire me. Photos of Bloedel Reserve, Heronswood (both in Washington), the Portland Japanese Garden, and the conifer display at Iseli Nursery (in Oregon) are…

Rest. Relax. Piddle around the garden’s edges if the weather’s nice, but keep it short. There’s plenty of time to get the few priorities on the worklist done before spring. There are three seasons when there’s some urgency to get things done. Now is not one of them. First on the list, and probably the…

No doubt, there are periods when every gardener whines about the weather, wishing to be someplace drier, wetter, warmer, or cooler. In mid January I am most likely to be dreaming of South Carolina, not deeper into the south, but a moderate change from my Virginia garden with less severe cold and a winter shorter…