Desperate For Plant Growth

At this time of year snow remains in the shadow of the kame terrace.  Open to full sun, these Snow Drops are the first plants to open flowers here.  These have remained tightly closed buds for days but today's warmth tickled them into opening.  We tend to prefer native plants but these early pure white flowers hold ground in several locations here.

Yellow Aconite is another nonnative that is here because its flowers appear early.  This display appears pitifully small but we know that many more blossoms will quickly follow these.

A recent heavy snowfall that included an ice layer brought down several mature Sumac trees.  Fortunately these old guys were growing on unused ground so they represent nothing more than a mess that needs to be cleaned up.  Working slowly and carefully, an embarrassing large number of days were used to tidy up.  These moss growths on a fallen trunk are attractive.  We will find a way to move then to the shade garden down near the road.  A wood chisel and hammer might result in movable chunks.  We do not know the name of this unique moss since moss names tend to involve a huge number of letters.  If we knew Latin the proper name might translate into Moss Balls.

Another fallen tree trunk is home to this interesting growth.  Here again the name is unknown to us but we do know that this growth wildly responds to moisture.  Even a very cold rain will push this plant to enlarge and open its then reddish pink reproductive organs.  That display is usually brief unless it rains for several days.  In any event that display always impresses.

We are working outside for rather short periods of time.  Cold air and ground quickly turns old hands white but we return after a cup of something hot to drink.

Snowy Stillness

I love the quietness of a snowy day.  I awoke to the sight of huge flakes of snow falling at a dizzying pace.  They obscured the view of the garden like a  white lace curtain. As the temperature dropped the snowflakes became smaller and the view of the garden improved. First the stone square and the shade garden emerged from the cloud of white.

After a time the trees at the South end of the garden came into view.  I love the clean, white, muffled  stillness of the garden on a day like this.  The birds and other critters are nowhere to be seen.  They are huddled up in a sheltered place  just like I am.  When the snow stops they will get back to business but now all is quiet.

Late in the afternoon the ridge in the distance could be seen.  The quiet isolation of being snowed in is comforting for a time. However,  soon the snowy stillness was broken by the sound of the lane being plowed.  We are no longer alone surrounded by silence.

Late in the day the garden scene changes from white to pale blue.  I will try to remember the peace and quiet of this snowy day.  Sometimes I forget how lovely the snow can be!