Warm Days And Light Rain

From our front window we can still see snow covered ground and open flowers.  Recent days have begun with frost on the windshield followed by afternoon temperatures above 70 degrees.  Other days featured day long light rain delivering enough moisture to pull plant growth above the remains of last season's plants.  Dutch Iris have been long favored here because of their early purple colored flowers.  Cold and new snow would help these plants last longer while continued bright sunshine with warm temperatures will melt these plants into a memory.

These Windflowers will soon be covered with brightly colored ray flowers placed close to the ground.  Both their color and structure are more commonly seen later in the year.  Like many of the early plants, these will soon leave bare ground.  Small flat stones carrying their name will be placed near these plants mainly to remind the old weed puller of their location.

This Prairie Fire is an interesting mix of browned old leaves and green new growth.  Depending on individual definitions of native plants, this Arizona specimen might not make the cut.  We know gardeners that limit their interest to plants found naturally in a small corner of Otsego County. 

The intact plastic plant marker identifies these perennial  Bachelor Buttons as a new acquisition.  The cluster of new growth is much larger than what was planted suggesting that we have found a plant that will prosper under our care.

These Chrysanthemums are growing close to the south facing house wall and their new growth is a welcome sight.  Others planted out on more open ground give every appearance of being dead.  In this neck of the woods potted plants on display in nearly every place of business offer people living in this climate potted flowering plants to place in their gardens.  We have spent years and a small fortune in search of Chrysanthemums that will prove to be winter hardy.  We will wait and see just how many will have survived.  With the recent persistent snow cover and lack of frigid winter temperatures we expected to see widespread survivors.

Two things stand out in this photo.  The house wall can be seen  in the background near to a pile of deer droppings.  We frequently see a fair number of deer that daily visit our gardens close to the house acting like this place belongs to them.  Natural fertilizer is a positive contribution for the plants but does it have to be this close to our home?   Village people cleaning up after their dogs are a common sight now but this deposit will probably remain where it was dropped.  Other issues will likely get our attention today.