This is one brutal winter

January 16th snowfall

This has been one brutal winter for us here in central Virginia. Our winters usually are cold during February, and we get some snow here and there in February and sometimes in early March. So far this season, we have been hit with several snows, not large amounts, but snow none the less. We have also been hit with severely cold weather for these parts. Temperatures in the single digits and wind chills in the negative numbers.

January 29th snowfall

 We usually get heavy wet snow, which in turn, melts in the next couple of days. These snows have been very crystalline and with the temps being so cold, it is very crunchy underfoot and lasts for many days.

But, for as cold as it has been, there is still growth and life. And while we might loose a few plants, or at least parts of the plants due to the cold temps, life goes on.

The evergreens in the yard are loving life, of course. They need these very cold temperatures as part of their life cycle. If anything, they are harder hit during our dry hot summer months, than they are with the cold.

Oriental paperbush in blossom

bright colors from the Nandina that I discarded years ago in the back

The Witch Hazel is budding now, Tulips and Snowbells are emerging, albeit too early in my opinion on the later. I just hope they can survive this brutal winter to enthrall us with their beauty as in other years. The Oriental paperbush are budding, and will open and expel their fragrance late this month.

Snowbells emerging

Hydrangea buds ready for spring