Signs of life in 2013
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Signs of life in 2013
We had around 15 inches of snow on the ground 1-2 weeks ago, and it has since melted completely with daytime highs being in the 50s and lows staying above freezing. It can be bad if it stays this warm for several weeks straight because it is enough to trigger the earliest plants, but thaws in the middle of winter generally don't last for more than a week around here. This is new growth that was not around back in December. They will probably go back to sleep once it gets cold again, but they are certainly growing whenever we are on the warm swings through the winter.
Here are some bulb plants, perhaps bleeding hearts
It's pretty easy to determine what is new growth on the garlic because it usually starts out very wrinkly
Here's a garlic bulb that was never harvested from last year which looks like it will make at least 6 bulbs this year.
The scallions which never froze over are making new growth as well
I never knew that celery was hardy to zone 6, but this winter hasn't even had single digits.
The mums are coming back already
Of course the tree peonies are swelling more, and even sticking some leaves out so I hope the snow returns to protect the new growth.
The lavender never seems to stop growing
A lot of the sedums are starting to show new growth.
Here's my indoor epiphyllum with a flower set to open up very soon.
Here are some bulb plants, perhaps bleeding hearts
It's pretty easy to determine what is new growth on the garlic because it usually starts out very wrinkly
Here's a garlic bulb that was never harvested from last year which looks like it will make at least 6 bulbs this year.
The scallions which never froze over are making new growth as well
I never knew that celery was hardy to zone 6, but this winter hasn't even had single digits.
The mums are coming back already
Of course the tree peonies are swelling more, and even sticking some leaves out so I hope the snow returns to protect the new growth.
The lavender never seems to stop growing
A lot of the sedums are starting to show new growth.
Here's my indoor epiphyllum with a flower set to open up very soon.
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
Steve - A lot going on in your garden. Here the snowdrops and narcissus were poking up back in December. Yesterday I noticed that the flower buds were swelling on Hamamellis 'Arnold's Promise'. A friend's H. 'Jelena' is usually out anytime from Xmas till the end of January and lasts for a couple of months. Will have to check it out.
-1c.
-1c.
johnw coastal Nova Scotia
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
This might be a bit fuzzy, but this proves that tree peonies may be the earliest flowers to sprout. I think this is a 1st year sprout.
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
Unless you grow hellebore which have had color to new flowers for the past 3 weeks or more.
Brad Salmon, zone 12B Kea'au, HI
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
I pulled off the leaf mulch on my Gunnera Manicata & Tinctoria today. They've been busy under there!
G.Tinctoria looks like some sort of mutant hairball/alien/flying spaghetti monster.
G.Tinctoria looks like some sort of mutant hairball/alien/flying spaghetti monster.
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
It looks like spring has arrived in your area. Around here, we had a very warm January followed by a cooler than average February, and it looks like March may be unseasonably cool based on LT forecasts so the buds might not get going until April. At the same time last year, some bushes and trees were already budding, and some of the bulb flowers were already in bloom, but nothing has made any progress since the cold streak started 4 weeks ago.
My gunnera manicata used to be that big before I split it, gave away some divisions, and re-planted it in a different location at the base of a pine tree. Last summer, it died back due to the drought, but it came back to life in the fall so I hope it comes back strong this spring. I protect them with their own leaves, and then a loosely filled leaf bag, and it seem to work very well every winter.
Almost forgot. If you still have the risk of a freeze, you could probably stick a wall o water protector over those guys.
My gunnera manicata used to be that big before I split it, gave away some divisions, and re-planted it in a different location at the base of a pine tree. Last summer, it died back due to the drought, but it came back to life in the fall so I hope it comes back strong this spring. I protect them with their own leaves, and then a loosely filled leaf bag, and it seem to work very well every winter.
Almost forgot. If you still have the risk of a freeze, you could probably stick a wall o water protector over those guys.
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
Another sign of spring found today! Our native salmonberry bushes are just starting to flower.
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
On the 3rd day of above freezing temperatures, there happened to be a lot more plants coming out of dormancy than I anticipated.
Silver Maple buds opening
Pear bud swelling up and close to opening
Peach buds getting larger
Garlic showing obvious new growth after getting fried over the winter
Garlic growth from under the tarp
Tree peonies making some more progress
1st year tree peony
2nd year tree peony
3rd year tree peony
Sempervivums turning nice and firm
Daylilies
Sedum
Daisy
String of hearts
Raspberries sending shoots all over the place
Silver Maple buds opening
Pear bud swelling up and close to opening
Peach buds getting larger
Garlic showing obvious new growth after getting fried over the winter
Garlic growth from under the tarp
Tree peonies making some more progress
1st year tree peony
2nd year tree peony
3rd year tree peony
Sempervivums turning nice and firm
Daylilies
Sedum
Daisy
String of hearts
Raspberries sending shoots all over the place
Last edited by stevelau1911 on Sat Mar 09, 2013 6:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
Looking good there steve!
It's been pretty nice here getting into the 50's most days, above freezing at night. Last frost was a few weeks ago, our average last frost date is usually early april, so i'm not outta the woods yet...
I took a few pictures of my plants that are looking especially nice this time of year:
It's been pretty nice here getting into the 50's most days, above freezing at night. Last frost was a few weeks ago, our average last frost date is usually early april, so i'm not outta the woods yet...
I took a few pictures of my plants that are looking especially nice this time of year:
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
And a few more
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
Nice steve! I cant be too far behind (hopefully!)
Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/
Re: Signs of life in 2013
Me first...get in line buddycanadianplant wrote:Nice steve! I cant be too far behind (hopefully!)
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
I'll go to the rear of the line and wait for that really late April frost to pass thank-you.
johnw coastal Nova Scotia
Re: Signs of life in 2013
Well, I think we can be certain that the worst of Winter is already over.
Much damage has been done to my exposed bamboos. Both Spectabilis/Aureoculous and bissetii suffered 99% leaf burn. It is their first winter after planting and leaves are sparse so every leaf blade was 100% exposed to the winter wind. It was the recent winter storm that did the most damage. As I recall, it wasn't that cold during the storm, but had very strong winds.
My rubro is still shrink wrapped, but it looked very dead to me... not sure if any of the branches survive to re-leaf.
There is a surprise however. I just checked on my windmill palm that I covered with a cardboard box (with some styrofoam inside). Leaves looking good! I thought they were dead after the first cold snap before I decided to cover it up.
I wonder how my musa banana is doing. Can't wait to find out...well, as soon as the forecast shows no more sub-zero temperatures.
Much damage has been done to my exposed bamboos. Both Spectabilis/Aureoculous and bissetii suffered 99% leaf burn. It is their first winter after planting and leaves are sparse so every leaf blade was 100% exposed to the winter wind. It was the recent winter storm that did the most damage. As I recall, it wasn't that cold during the storm, but had very strong winds.
My rubro is still shrink wrapped, but it looked very dead to me... not sure if any of the branches survive to re-leaf.
There is a surprise however. I just checked on my windmill palm that I covered with a cardboard box (with some styrofoam inside). Leaves looking good! I thought they were dead after the first cold snap before I decided to cover it up.
I wonder how my musa banana is doing. Can't wait to find out...well, as soon as the forecast shows no more sub-zero temperatures.
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Re: Signs of life in 2013
A few pickings & Helleborus pot from the greenhouse.
johnw coastal Nova Scotia