My Contorted Hazels have catkins on them already. Look - the first snowdrops are beginning to pop up. :-D The lilac trees have buds on them. The blackcurrant bush is showing signs of new growth. Despite gale force winds and teeming rain the roses are budding again. The forsythia has budlets showing. Sorry about the picture quality but it was raining so heavily that I had to take the photographs in a hurry.
Is that normal for Scotland this time of year??? My lilac had buds forming up until last weeks cold snap and I wondered if that was a BAD thing??
Definately NOT normal for here in Scotland Netty. We've only had a handful of severe frosts but I'm worried that we still have the reallywintery weather still to come. If, and when. it does arrive I have a feeling I'm going to lose a lot of my plants.
That's a definite concern Eils, all this new growth may get the shock of its life quite soon. I suppose it is expected of a climate that is getting more and more extreme. A shame really as it's great to see life in the garden starting again.
Oh how it thrills my heart to see those hopeful signs of growth, even though, down deep, I know it's dangerously early. More than a week before the 1st day of winter. I've read that you can add an extra measure of protection for treasured plants by wrapping a string of mini-lites through them (easily available now at the holidays), in concert with swaddling them in a blanket against freezing temperatures. If the plants are small enough that wouldn't be too difficult, although the neighbors might wonder about the glowing bundles in your garden on those cold January nights.
When we lived down the hill, a man put Christmas lights in his grapefruit trees in winter and turned them on at night. Sometimes he threw a blanket over the top to keep the frost from settling on them. Dooley
Wow, Eileen, what a surprise and winter has not even arrived yet. I love the photo of the forsythia, so you know where that is going.
I recognise these photos Eileen! Why? Because I have a garden of plants doing the same things!! The bluebells bulbs you sent me are already poking through, along with daffs and crocus. My dahlias are stilol lush and green with buds! Chilean glory vine still in flower!! Buds on everything. Most of the pots have been moved into the insulated greenhouse now, but the things that can't be moved are a worry!
Thanks for the spring pics Eileen. All I have to look forward to for the next few months is snow, cold and more snow.
We've been through this a couple of times before here in Connecticut. I haven't seen any buds like the ones in the pictures yet, but I have seen plenty of bulbs poking up. The grass is still really green. All I can say that while your next flowering cycle maybe a little messed up (it may not be) these kind of things balance out and don't represent a danger to the plants in the long run.
I love the idea of using the Christmas lights that way - alien glowing landscaping all winter long. Wonderful pics, you make me want to put out a finger and pet the little, soft buds.
After seeing this yesterday I think you maybe on to something , eileen This Cherry tree was in full bloom in the Tribeca section of Manhattan. Sorry about the picture but I did something I know I am not supposed to do. Take a picture while driving
Good gracious me - even my cherry tree isn't in flower!!! It is showing signs of budding new leaves though.
