February 2016 in the Northern Hemisphere

[Hoy]

Wonderful winter scenery Trond!
Don't worry, I don't have that much to show to open another thread  and after all it is more about our continental type of climate, many others forumists are northerly than I am, right?

Symplocarpus is a fascinating 'creature'. Indeed the inflorescence produces heat, up to more than 15C than the surrounding temp., but this year they have also been tricked into early growth. Usually they show up in late March. Apparently other aroids present this phenomenon of producing heat, called thermogenesis. It is believed that the salicylic acid from the plant functions as a hormone and initiate the heating process....I can make a long story. Better one more image:

I suppose at 60N I for one am north of you, Gabriela

Interesting what you tell! I have one Symplocarpus in my garden but I think it is late every year, and it grows very slowly. Maybe the summer temps are too low? Hope I will see it melting its way through the snow some day

[Hoy]

Trond,

The snow looks very inviting. It was 24 C at the farm today. I worked-up quite the sweat today pruning the orchard. The peaches are already showing color. This is about 30 days early!.....

Robert,

Your flowering garden looks very inviting to me!
Although it is very nice to go skiing in fine weather (you are welcome to join any time  ) I prefer spring and summer! What do you prune at this time, cherries and the like?

Nice flowers! I like that Magnolia and the pink Prunus also (can't help with name of the other one). Strange that your snowflakes bloom at the same time, my plants at home are also in flower! But I have to wait two months to see the first Magnolia stellata and Prunus blooming

[johngennard]

we have had plenty of sunshine in the last fortnight but cold winds to go with it so the crocus haven't been opening but the last two days have been warmer in in spite of the sharp frosts overnight so I took the opportunity take photos today in view of the forecasts for the next few days.I think they are probably at their peak.

[Maggi Young]

John, your garden is such a tribute to your years of care - a paradise indeed.

[Robert]

Trond,

Another photograph from the Sacramento garden taken today, Tuesday.

Magnolia x loebneri - I do not remember the variety name. The label was lost 20 years ago. Non-the-less a very beautiful tree.



The orchard is mostly apples, and peaches, however there is a variety of others; Figs, Pomegranates, Kiwi Fruit, Pluots, Pears and a few other types. It will take me about 4-5 days to get it all done, if I work all day at it. For me, this is late in the season to be pruning the fruit trees, but it is not the end of the world. It will get done. 

The warm weather has the bloom cycle at mixed up this year. The Leucojum generally blooms much earlier in the season. The Magnolias and early Prunus species are on schedule.

[Cfred72]

Are they are tommasinianus Crocus?

[Lampwick]

Breathtakingly beautiful John — Your garden is a paradise, thank you for sharing. 

[Maggi Young]

Another photograph from the Sacramento garden taken today, Tuesday.
Magnolia x loebneri - I do not remember the variety name. The label was lost 20 years ago. Non-the-less a very beautiful tree.

The warm weather has the bloom cycle at mixed up this year. The Leucojum generally blooms much earlier in the season. The Magnolias and early Prunus species are on schedule.

 
 So beautiful - Magnolias not expected in flower here until April.

[Robert]

Maggi,

Our Sacramento home was built in the early 1940's during the great war. I am sure that due to the wartime effort the houses were all built small back then - a blessing for us who want more garden space! As street trees, I guess they planted whatever was available. In our case the upper end of our street was planted with a rich dark flowered form of Magnolia x soulangeana. They are huge trees now and in full bloom. It is quite the sight. I regret that I do not have a photograph. My wife and I will be back down to Sacramento on Sunday. Maybe I can photograph them then, if the flowers last. Right now the wind is howling as a new storm approaches. Not so good for flowers.

[hadacekf]

more and more plant are flowering

[Maggi Young]

Spring in Vienna!

[johngennard]

Are they are tommasinianus Crocus?

Yes they are all tomasinianus.

[ian mcdonald]

Franz, your H. vesicarius looks similar to H. foetidus, a plant which grows wild near me and should be in flower now. It grows in woods on limestone. We also have H. viridis near here.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Franz, your H. vesicarius looks similar to H. foetidus, a plant which grows wild near me

but H vesicarius is much more difficult to grow! I have tried and failed.

[Herman Mylemans]

more and more plant are flowering

Beautiful pictures Franz!