Snow Clouds

Life in the vapor vortex.  The deep freeze of 2015 has brought with it the typical challenges of living in the Big Chill. The garden's been under a thick layer of crusty snow for months now.  While the first cold snap brings a welcome respite from outdoor chores, by mid February most gardeners are itching to get outside.

One hundred year low temperatures make long term excursions too painful and the ground won't accept a spade for weeks.   But the blue skies beckoned one chilly morning and we couldn't resist.

Ralph the dog wisely chose to supervise from the doorway  

Bundling up we ventured out.    Recalling some YouTube videos of Siberian apartment dwellers, we decided to make our own vapor trails-- at sea level.  

The first try with tepid tap water failed miserably.  

Boiling water's the key.  

The result was spectacular.  Crackling drops of water sizzle in the clear cold air.  Backlit by sunlight the effect is lovely.  

Our personal cloud slowly drifts away.  

Sirius fun.

More Articles:

How to Care for Houseplants -- Nitrogen Smoothies

How to Grow from Seeds -- Four O'Clocks and Hollyhocks
 

What Not to Wear for Winter Shrubs -- Burlap Wrap

There's a new fashion trend in the MItten. 2014 was brutal for some marginally tender plants and shrubs.  The unprecedented cold of the great Polar Vortex caused permanent damage to boxwood, hydrangea, white pine and other garden regulars.  Neighbor Ray gave up on his scorched boxwood hedge by June.  Blue hosta plants will now line his driveway in warner months.

Fearing the same chilling prediction for 2015, Michigan yardeners have swaddled their precious perennial bushes in layers of burlap resembling oversized bags of lumpy potatoes. 

Do our plants now require quilted buntings to survive?  Truly not in most cases.  Most structural plants naturally come with coping skills for winter survival.  Spruces turn a smoky blue-grey.  Rhododendron leaves curl up like cigars on especially cold days to avoid transpiration (the loss of water stored during the fall due to icy winds.)

When the rhodos resemble stuffed grape leaves, the down
jacket comes out.

Each fall plants store moisture for the dormant winter months. Unless autumn was especially dry, there's usually enough to last until spring.  We've been blessed with a very wet summer and fall
which has continued into early winter.  Most plants have plenty of moisture reserves to survive drying winter winds.

Buntings do not protect from road salt nor other de-icing sprays, as harmful chemicals
are absorbed via the root system. 

Overzealous commercial maintenance crews, fearful of costly replacement, have swaddled perimeter plantings in ugly armors. \

All probably unnecessary and not worthy of the aesthetic cost. 

One nearby commercial building is now encompassed in a bright green cloth fence for the foreseeable future.

Overprotected plants may not thrive as well as those left to nature's devices.  Scientists have found that staked trees are far less strong compared to those allowed to sway in the wind.  The unfettered grow stronger and more supple in order to survive. Hemlocks respond to the weight of snow by gently curving branches downward. 

Plants which do not die back to the root system still absorb and monitor limited amounts of sunlight in the cold season.

The garden doesn't cease to provide beauty in the cold.

Structural planting  provide form and movement when less hearty growth retreats. 

Soldier-like rows of bandaged shrubs have no aesthetic value.   Removal of covers is messy and lengthens a long task list.

To best prepare the garden for winter, water heavily in the fall if precipitation is light.  Discontinue plant food in late summer to discourage vulnerable late season growth.

Snow collects upon branches in graceful beauty.

Save the wrapping for the presents.

More Chilly Advice:

Avoid Shrubbery Flubbery -- How to Clear Away Snow

No More Bad Haircuts -- How to Trim Bushes

To Cut Plants Back or Leave Them Be?

The garden adapts to the grower's character unlike any other happenstance of daily life. "Eyes forward" types tend the yard in a different way than those who live in the moment.

Each fall the dilemma presents itself once again.  Should I cut back spent plants or wait until spring?

The answer depends upon the plants, the schedule and personal aesthetics.  Predictions for winter include a very short spring.  Mother nature may have other plans, however.

If weather and time permits, cut back all soft leaf perennials such as hosta.  Tucked below a bed of
snow,  leftovers turn mushy and removal's messy.  Yet there's no preferred method.  If left until spring, spent leaves can simply be pulled away. 

Heavy stemmed daisies are best cut partially back as their overall thickness and growth makes more work once the tops of the plants deteriorate.

Rose blooms should remain untouched until pods are formed.   Then the plants should be trimmed back in the spring to a greened stem at a leaf juncture. 

Hydrangea, on the other hand are best cut back once the Ides of March have passed.  Winter die back is readily apparent and it's easy to cut along the lines.  Enjoy the visual benefit of the lovely dried mop heads as winter interest.


Same goes for shrubs such as spirea which can be "stooled" or cut back hard in fall or spring.

The accumulation of snow on dense branches can be lovely to some. Browned branches add structure to the barren yard. 

There's no singular correct method.  Much depends upon the personality of the gardener.  Those who prefer the yard to be tidy can't abide the presence of browned leaves. 

Others who desire more fullness and structure during the cold months will leave it lie.   

Gardens are like children and pets.  They tend to thrive no matter the method--so long as love's the impetus.

Happy clipping!

Related Blogs: 

Shrubbery Flubbery -- Heavy Snow and Shrubs

Boxwood Burn