A January thaw I expect. A thaw in February–however pleasant–makes me nervous. Last year we had a mild February–and three feet of snow in March. I would much rather have my seasons in chronological order–first winter, then spring–than to be ping-ponging back and forth between the two. But whether or not I approve, it appears we are having a thaw. In February.
Today the temperature rose to 59°F (15°C). The average high for this time of year is 32°F (0°C). According to the ten-day forecast, every one of those ten days will be warmer than the average.
These are the very first snowdrop sprouts of 2018.
The rest of them are still under snow. And no, I can’t tell you what’s on that label, because I always stick the written-on end in the ground so it stays legible longer, and it’s still frozen in the earth. So, there hasn’t been much thawing yet. But we have at least ten days…
When I sit at my desk and look to the right, this is what I see.
A cold climate gardener expects it to be cold in February, and she prepares for it. In this picture an orchid I’ve had for a couple of years, a miniature orchid I was given yesterday, and the
forced lily-of-the-valley–now on the wane–all bask in the southeastern exposure. These are the types of plants I expect to be blooming in February, and indoors is the only place I expect them to be blooming.
My mom gave me this clivia when she moved out of her apartment.
The flower stalk is supposed to be more elongated before it blooms. I probably didn’t withhold water long enough, or the living room didn’t stay cool enough, long enough. No matter. I feast my eyes on the flaming orange petals just as readily with the flowers at half-mast, so to speak.
I know I’m not fooling anybody. I will be thrilled if I have blooming snowdrops–or eranthis–in February. I will enjoy each mild day as it arrives, and if winter comes back to bite me and my garden–well, we’ll deal with that when it happens.
Inspired by the words of Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year,” Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens. Check it out at May Dreams Gardens.
Tagged as:
clivia,
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day,
lily-of-the-valley,
orchid
About the Author
Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.
In the end, this may be the most important thing about frost: Frost slows us down. In spring, it tempers our eagerness. In fall, it brings closure and rest. In our gotta-go world–where every nanosecond seems to count–slowness can be a great gift. So rather than see Jack Frost as an adversary, you could choose to greet him as a friend.
~Philip Harnden
in
A Gardener’s Guide to Frost: Outwit the Weather and Extend the Spring and Fall Seasons
Beautiful sights!
LOVE the Clivia, Kathy.
Love that I found our site. I have a cabin in upstate NY, But only there in the warmer months. I have been looking for some perennial edibles for the climate, since I cant tend them too much. Here in Pittsburgh we have also had a record warm up, and I do worry about some plants starting up to soon. Sawsome buds coming out on small trees in the back.
Here’s hoping your weather settles down. That up and down thing is a southerner’s lament. Happy Bloom Day.~~Dee
Things look just about perfect up there in the cold north. Signs of life both inside and out, and the orchids are very impressive. I have nothing but admiration for people who can rebloom an orchid… mostly since I’ve already killed a few over the years.
I’m glad you pointed out that the snowdrop label was frozen in there, for a minute I was a little put off that the name wasn’t on the photo!
Pretty windowsill full of flowers. Thanks for joining in for bloom day!
Carol
Beautiful Clivia!
Mine has bloomed only once in the 5 years I have had it.
Have a wonderful day!
I hope the garden stays safe. Your indoor blooms are lovely!