November 2012 in the Northern Hemisphere

[cohan]

I don't think this topic was started yet?
A few images to scare those of you in gentler climes Winter (in the guise of lasting snow) seems to have come early this year -we got snow starting  October 20, and for several days after that- not huge amounts, enough to need shovelling a couple of times, and while we've had some days warm enough for settling, and in the last couple of days warm enough to melt from paths, roads etc (much more melting in town and in open sunny spots, here in the trees it's still more white than not), still several inches to half a foot in many places- probably up to a foot on the ground in low places when these photos were taken..
Not in my garden, rather its native woodland/wetland on the family farm, just beyond my acreage...

[Brian Ellis]

I am suitably scared

[Paul T]

Some beautiful pictures, Cohan.  The snow/tree/understory contrasts are excellent.  Very nice!

[KentGardener]

I am suitably scared

Me Too!!!  BBRRrrrrr!

It made me think of what I have left outside in my garden for the winter (last week I posted a picture of all my 'exotics' that have been moved indoors for the next 5 or 6 months!)

So following are a few of the things I have been leaving in my garden, that are often thought borderline hardy but have 'survived here' (some better than others...) in my little town garden.

This is NOT a guarantee of hardiness - rather, just a few of the things that have scraped through here for one or more winters     (Sorry these are not alpines - but I thought it might be worth mentioning).

1 - Begonia Connie Boswell
2 - Begonia Little Brother Montgomery
3 - Begonia Metallic Mist (tough as nails)
4 - Begonia Silver Splendour (tough as nails)
5 - Begonia Benitochiba (planted deep - comes back a bit better each year - always very late June to emerge).
6 - Asparagus densiflorus (?)
7 - Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata'
8 - A Farfugium I was given a few years back as 'Big Willy'!

[Maggi Young]

So, John, for those begonias, for example, do you give them a mulch or other cover to keep the worst of the weather off their roots?  I'd expect them to turn to mush and never be seen again.

[Tim Ingram]

I'm astonished John! I never would have expected Begonias to get through the winter (except for grandis), and especially the really low temperatures we had last winter. Maybe the proximity of the house and being in town keeps a warmer microclimate. Do you propagate the begonias? I did this years ago from leaf cuttings and have always admired the Dibley's stand at Chelsea - they are great plants.

[johnw]

I got up one morning last week and the radio man said it is presently -28c  - at which point I headed to the window - in Grand Prairie, Alberta.

We had our first frost last night, -1c at 7am.  Temperature on Sable Island, NS was +7c.

johnw

[ashley]

Very nice John.
To my astonishment Little Brother Montgomery came through the prolonged freeze here two years ago, in gravelly soil with only ivy as a groundcover.

Beautiful photos Cohan
They remind me of Finnish winters in an earlier life.

[cohan]

Thanks, Ashley and Paul- these are among my very favourite views of the year- the trees look great in white! Paul- the contrasts are fascinating, and tell you the direction the fog blew in- often trees will be white on one side, bare on the other. If the understory plants/shrubs are sheltered from the incoming fog, they may remain clear while the treetops above/behind them turn white...

John- very interesting! Some of those plants would scarcely survive summer outdoors here...lol

[Olga Bondareva]

May I join Cohan with some snow from St.-Petersburg (last week)?  Not to scare just to remind winter in cold climate can be so beautiful!

[Paul T]

Those rose flowers are certainly wishing they were in a warmer climate.    Great pics.

Cohan,

Interesting about the fog.  Makes perfect sense, but would be fascinating to see in person.  Thanks again for the pics.

[KentGardener]

So, John, for those begonias, for example, do you give them a mulch or other cover to keep the worst of the weather off their roots?  I'd expect them to turn to mush and never be seen again.

Hi Maggi

I was sceptical about these - so have planted them deep - about six inches down - that might perhaps add to their survival, late arrival, and short season?  (sometime only a few months above ground)

Now they seem to have settled I will probably try and propergate them next year and be slightly less prescious with them in other conditions.

[Maggi Young]

Hmm, yes, deeper than I might have guessed. I think if they are willing to survive then a short season isn't the worst thing!

[ArnoldT]

Here's a row of Fagus sylvatica after a snow fall.

[Olga Bondareva]

Those rose flowers are certainly wishing they were in a warmer climate. 

Yes.  And this Acer palmatum too.





But snow melted already. Yesterday in my garden. Sasa tsuboana.