Aftermath of the Frost

This is an elegant blue black iris given to me by my friend Jane. The frost was more than unkind to the buds on this plant. Far from the magnificent blossom the plant usually produces, this flower gets points from me for even opening. The weather lately has been like one of those fast elevators that goes up and down so quickly that it makes you feel sick. From 28 to 93+ in just ten days. The plant will survive and the flower stem is headed for the compost. It is a disappointment. However, with every gardener hope springs eternal, and I will look forward to the beautiful blossoms on this plant next year.

Frost Damaged Lily

This is one of my beautiful Stargazer lilies. It was so eagerly pushing up out of the ground on those warm days we had in April, but then the weather turned on us in May. The plant is still alive to be sure, but look at it. Maybe it will still bloom if it doesn't get zapped again. The frost burns are pretty harsh. I have to wonder if it needs to be planted more deeply. This has happened before. It's always a temptation to push the zone a little bit. I like to think of us as zone 5, but Ed says really we are in zone 4.