Whatever the weather

We've had a week with overnight frost, high winds, rain and just plain November days. I went out midmorning today to check the rain gauge (only .36") and to look for fallen branches from the winds that began yesterday. No big branches were down, though I found some lovely pieces of bark. I left this one on the bench by the front door to dry out a bit before I bring it indoors. 

Despite the miserably cold weather I found a lot that caught my attention no matter where I went in the garden. The beds, paths and upper pool in the back garden were absolutely covered with needles from the lone Austrian pine of the original three trees planted in the mid-1950s.

Some things, like this Himalayan maidenhair fern, seem to take the change in the weather in stride. It looks green and gorgeous until it gets buried by snow. 

Big healthy Foxglove seedlings are such a hopeful sign. But I probably should have moved them out of the path when they were tiny. I am going to have to tread  carefully next year. 

Late last fall I planted a pair of dwarf Hydrangeas. They came through the winter and grew this year with no problems. I need to put larger cages around them so they are protected from critters this winter and next spring when they put out new growth. Love their deep purple foliage. 

I've been growing this Paeonia lutea for four years. I moved it last year after deciding it was in too much shade to flower. I've never noticed pink stems on it before. Now I am going to have to make a note to see what it looks like next spring when it reappears. 

This ornamental cabbage was looking so sad that I almost tossed it. Yesterday's rain suggests it was lack of water, not the cold, that was its problem.

I discovered this Hellebore, that typically tries to flower at Thanksgiving, up and beginning to bloom ten days ago. I cut a few blossoms to enjoy inside and assumed it had succumbed to the cold weather by now. What a trooper!

Its twin, planted across the path, was budded and buried deeply in autumn leaves. I left it that way, hoping that would preserve the buds to flower in the spring. But it was ready and did not want to wait. 

Though I think winter is on its way, clearly my garden is not yet convinced.

Comments

[Kris P]

There's a lot going on in your garden despite the nasty weather, Linda. I love the ornamental cabbage growing among the rocks. And you have hellebore blooms already! We're back in warm weather territory again here with no rain in sight.

[Barbara H.]

I felt like I was walking with you as you made these lovely little plant discoveries. It was a nice way to start the morning.

[danger garden]

Great image of the ornamental cabbage placed among the rocks!

[Beth@PlantPostings]

Your winter Hellebores are lovely. And, wow, I'd love to have healthy Foxgloves like those! I love searching for mosses, lichens, and bark this time of year (or any time of year, really). Your ferns are beautiful, too.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Wow, that hellebore is gorgeous.