I got an email today with a weather update from a local television station. It included the “F” word. Yes, frost. (What did you think I meant?)Anyway, I should not be surprised if we got some frost, as we are well within the range of “normal” to start having some light frosts, especially in low lying areas and away from “the city”. But the weather isn’t doing its part to prepare us. Do you think this could all happen gradually, a few degrees at a time?No, apparently it can’t. The 1st three days … [Read more...] about Seasonal Roller Coaster
trees
Zone Busting Mimosa Style
This is the last of the bloom on a Mimosa tree, Albizia julibrissin, which is hardy in zones 6 – 9.No, I did not take a notion to leave town when the rain arrived and go south for a few days, find this tree and take pictures of it. This tree is actually in a yard around the corner from where my mom and sister live, in zone 5. I also drive by one every day on my way to work, also in zone 5So, what’s up with these Mimosa trees? Are they hardy in zone 5? The answer is not really, but sometimes you … [Read more...] about Zone Busting Mimosa Style
APB Japanese Maple Variety
A friend at work asked me to help her find out what variety of Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) this might be. So, I'm putting out this *all points bulletin* to see if anyone knows.Because who knows, YOU might see this picture and think, "that's exactly like one I have in my garden and it is fill-in-the-blank". Or maybe Trey knows?She saw the tree growing in Portland, Oregon while on vacation. She says the bark is smooth and the branches are light green. Plus, the new foliage is red, as you can … [Read more...] about APB Japanese Maple Variety
Lilacs
I get a lot of questions about lilacs as soon as they start to bloom in the spring. There must be something about the flowers and the scent of the flowers that people really like. Around here, I generally only see three types of lilacs; common lilac, Miss Kim lilac and Meyer lilac.The common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is an old-fashioned shrub, and the first of the lilacs to bloom in the spring. It gets rather large and gangling, and isn't a shrub I would put as a focal point in the landscape. I … [Read more...] about Lilacs
