Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Too Soon for Blooms

Warm January days are powerful. Just ask this Saucer magnolia (Magnolia soulangeana). Its protective, insulated bud scales have broken open revealing the bud beneath.
This scale protects the bud from freezing. You understand how it is dangerous for the covering to open up before the danger is gone for  more heavy freezing.
But wait. It gets worse.
At the risk of looking a gift-horse in the mouth, It just isn't right to see this pretty pink bloom opening up on January 31 in the Ohio Valley, zone 6a. I usually look for these in March.
Nearby, a Baby's breath spirea (Spirea thunbergii) shows its leaves.
While its buds swell, ready to put forth white blooms.

7 comments:

Out on the prairie said...

I have heard of a number early blooms. I put in over 300 tulips last year and hope they don't get lost.You could snip a few branches and bring them inside to enjoy the blooms.

MadSnapper said...

there are quite a few bloggers here in the US saying they are getting early blooms and green. the first photo looks like it might be sticking its tongue out at us and I love the last one just because

TexWisGirl said...

oh dear! i think the US is going to get a heckuva winter wallop in about March or so!

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

Yes, I've seen lots of comments about the warmth. My son in Tahoe needs snow in order to work. My daughter in Reno needs snow now in order to have water next summer. Whoever thought we could complain about beautiful weather. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
come back tomorrow for some weather predicting.
nellie

Nellie from Beyond My Garden said...

Prairie, I just reread your comment. 300 tulips?!?!? Wow, that is a lot of hole punching. I hope you post a photo when they bloom. I'll be looking forward to it.
nellie

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Hello nellie !
I had to look at the squirrel partying first and it was so funny ... the last picture especially : )
Yes .. it is very eerie how the weather is catching us all off guard .. way too advanced and next to no snow fall for ground water .. I really worry about what sort of drought year we will have.
Great picture .. so much like Spring but just too early eh ?

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

Waiiting eagerly for the rit moment !