Winter slowly releases its grip...

[Lori S.]

The big melt is about to start, after the snowiest winter in many years... the first time in our twelve years here that there has been constant snow cover in some parts of the yard since early December.  (I need to remind myself that there will still, almost certainly, be at least one more big dump of snow before it's over... this is often in May but can happen in June.  Oh joy!  )
That being as it may, as the snow leaves, signs of life emerge...

They are still surrounded by the debris of winter, but Saxifraga 'Riverslea' and 'Petruska' are looking well, as is Draba aizoides...  (I'm pleased, as those two saxifrages were just planted last year - purchased as plants rooted in blocks of tufa.)

Draba rigida probably looks like death to anyone viewing it in its current state (I would imagine it is quite evergreen in warmer zones?) but it is actually fine... really, it is, LOL!

So, any bets on whether Morina longifolia will make it or not?  (What I mean to ask is, is it normally evergreen, or not?)

[cohan]

great to see those first bits of green emerging do these start to do something quite soon after melt?
we have more snow than you, of course, on the warm days we've had (after a couple of days near -40nights and -20Cdays, we had a couple of days around +9 to 11C; the snow starts to go fast, especially near buildings and under trees; still deep snow in the open, and that will be along while going, especially in the shade; i think we can expect quite a few snows yet, some of the heaviest are in spring, historically..

it will be a while yet before i see any plants, though  a few more really warm days, and i may see my one modest sempervivum planter..

[Lori S.]

Yes, the various drabas... well, depending on the conditions from year to year... have been in bloom before the end of March.  We shall see... ! 

[cohan]

drabas flowering in march, that would be nice!
i was actually behind the times on my semp planter--i noticed that the front third of it is out of the snow, and the tiny Armeria juniperifolia is exposed--seems good so far--i just bought it locally last year, and really wasnt sure about its hardiness; of course, depending on coming weather, this could be the toughest time, now that its exposed if we have more cold, though we had probably had -20 nights before the snow came in december..
i just got the planter planted in august, and this Armeria was flowering in October, so i am hopeful..

[Lori S.]

Surely only for my own amusement, but a few more heartening signs of spring... 
In a painfully new bed (still needs top dressing  ), Arabis procurrens variegata, looking much as it did in fall...
Potentilla rupestris nana...
Arabis x sturii...
Buds on Saxifraga sancta var. macedonica... (Okay, I think I've finally shamed myself into committing to dividing the weather-beaten old warrior this summer!)

[David Nicholson]

Lovely pictures Lori. It's always nice to see gardens and gardener's problems from other parts of the world.

[cohan]

actually the sax looks pretty good apart from the one little hole..maybe just plant something else in there

[Lori S.]

No, Cohan, don't encourage my natural laziness, please!    It's been like that for far too long, LOL!  I think I'll probably redo the old troughs this year, after seeing the inspiring photos posted at this site!

[cohan]

No, Cohan, don't encourage my natural laziness, please!    It's been like that for far too long, LOL!  I think I'll probably redo the old troughs this year, after seeing the inspiring photos posted at this site!

ok then, but you know we will expect update photos

[Lesley Cox]

I'm sure the Morina will be OK Lori. What are the red berries in most of your pictures?

[Lori S.]

Then I will be even more encouraged, Lesley!  Thanks!  The red berries are from a nearby Sorbus, rowan.... (or "mountain ash" to we colonials.   
Thank you, David - one can be sure I will have many problems to share, going forward, LOL!

[maggiepie]

I'm sure the Morina will be OK Lori. What are the red berries in most of your pictures?

Lesley am glad you asked, I was wondering too.
Thought they might be viburnum berries.

[Lori S.]

Dianthus myrtinervius ssp. caespitosus
Vaccinium macrocarpon 'Hamilton', showing winter colour (or so I hope  )
Have I finally managed to winter over an erodium or two?  I'm cautiously optimistic, but time will tell - Erodium cheilanifolium
Erodium chrysanthum 
Dracocephalum palmatum
Oooh, I can't wait to see the rest!  (And, eventually, assess the casualties, LOL!)

[cohan]

nice to see those first little bits..
i'm especially interested in the Erodium..i've been wondering about this genus, wrightman lists a number of species, but their hardiness policy, while understandable, is not always helpful...lol

[cohan]

after -30C last week, we are having a few days around +10C (-6 or 7 overnight)..
this pot(its just a big plastic pot, maybe 14inches sq) is emerging from the snowbank its been in for several months-its beside a path, so has had even deeper snow than what fell--i figured might as well keep it buried til it started to warm up!
these shots were taken on a frosty morning a couple of days back, now even more is showing, including one semp just behind the armeria, probably the  whole surface will be out soon..tomorrow we have rain turning to snow forecast
Armeria juniperifolia