It's not just us humans that have been struggling with the freezing temperatures here in Houston, we're just not built for this kind of weather! What is normally a luscious green garden has turned into a brown mass of dead leaves and bare branches. We've been told not to trim it down till about mid March in case we get more arctic fronts that make it all the way South. Apparently, this layer of dead leaves will actually help insulate against the cold.
My pigmy palms! :-(
We normally don't see much of the fence. It's all hibiscus plants, black berry shrubs, rhododendrons and oleanders . That big mass in the corner was a Fire Bush which attracts humming birds. Here are a couple of pics - if you click on them you'll see the humming bird. Last Fall we had two couples that practically lived in our garden. We also have a pair of cardinals that stay all year round.
We saw a lonely cardinal sitting on the bush yesterday ... probably also wondering what had happened :-). All these plants normally survive our winters without any problems.
It's so sad to see! AND all these plants were covered with tarps, blankets and everything else we could get our hands on. The large palm trees' trunks were all bubble wrapped, which is supposed to provide a great layer of insulation. Next time, we are going to string Christmas lights on all of the palms before covering them. A sweet friend of mine does this and it helps. I'm just hoping that as bad as it looks, it will all grow back as soon as our temps go back into normal range, all the green leaves will start to come up and eventually it will look good and healthy again.
I take my hat off to all you crafting friends that live in the North. I guess you're all better equipped to deal with it? I've said it before and I'll say it again ... if I had to go live in a cold region, I would make a bear envy with my hibernation skills :-)
Well, dear friends, with all this said and done, I wish you all a wonderful weekend and that the weather treats you kindly.
Big warm hugs,
Oh gosh, I hope your trees and shrubs come back. I absolutely hate the cold and snow. I used to live in upstate New York in the Adirondacks and it snowed like 10 months a year. Okay, not that much, but it seemed like it. There are people that love it...I'm not one of them!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
So sad to see this, Lena. Us mountain folk don't really get used to the cold and snow, at least this one doesn't! Gimme summer all year round and I'd be happy.
ReplyDeleteWarming hugs,
Em xoxo
My dear friend, my comment keeps disappearing but I am trying one more time! I am so sad to see this... it must be tough since your area is unaccustomed to this wintry weather! Sending tons of love your way!
ReplyDeleteNature can be a cruel mistress Lena. We have been mostly spared the cold here in the UK this year but have had rain, rain and more rain. I do hope that your lovely plants will recuperate xx
ReplyDeleteSo sad!!!
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