It’s probably now obvious to everyone why Buffalo gardeners might not put too much effort into gardening for “winter interest.” Here, winter survival – or, more accurately, blizzard survival – is the thing (and not just for plants).
(Here’s some video of it: IMG_2066)
Events like what happened over Christmas here can be literally crushing for small trees and shrubs, particularly shallow-rooted varieties. Just a few big trees were affected, but the weight of the snow was too much for many arborvitae (yeah, big loss) and Japanese maples. Overall, however, snow’s damage is far outweighed by the insulating protection it can provide. If it would just stay put.
I prefer a nice white undulating landscape to a sear, brownish vista. Which, believe it or not, is what we have now; just a few dingy piles of snow remain. That will change.
Buffalo now
I can safely say that no local gardener I know gives a damn about winter interest. We provide the vulnerable stuff with what protection we can and turn our attention indoors and to planning for the future.
I see images on Facebook of lush green basements under grow lights, packed with overwintering annuals and tropicals. People are starting to think about seeds. Myself, I’ve only six or so pots of bulbs left to bring up, though I’m not sure where to put them. If all goes well – and it looks good so far – I’ll have 75-100 hyacinths in bloom throughout the house, with 30 or so tulips coming on later.
We turn to our houseplants and overwintering garden plants. We retreat into our heads with schemes for the coming season. Maybe the fact that I can’t even see my garden most of the winter makes it easier to envision drastic changes or consider a few annual plantings that might get changed after one season.
Winter can be beautiful. Except when it decides to show us its ugly side.
Elizabeth, That is one of the most apt titles ever! I’m so sorry for all that Buffalo and the surrounding areas have been through this winter. Your Hyacinths sound dreamy. I hope you will post about them when they pop. Meanwhile, stay warm & safe.
Elizabeth! Glad you survived! Thanks (but no thanks) for the movie clip. Yikes!
Didja’ know that when model trains were a thing . . . that it was mostly mid-westerners who wanted to have an indoor hobby for their inhospitable Winter season? I don’t know if any wars erupted between competing basement hobbies of growing plants versus choo-choos.
Time for me to start my seeds for mildew-resistant Impatiens. I grow them in my basement with my brute-force approach . . .
Buy 3X the amount of seed you expect to plant.
Lose one-third by forgetting to water.
Lose another third to watering too much.
Plant the remainder.
Glad to hear that you made it through OK. Was concerned about news of Buffalo. Here in Houston we just froze and now everything is either brown or black until spring.
Liz, on the one hand it’s got to be brutal to suffer through these cataclysmic events even though this kind of winter weather to some degree is expected in your part of the country. On the other hand, here in the Pacific Northwest, there is so much pressure on us gardeners to create “year ’round interest” that it often feels like we never get to just sit back and coast. Not that for one minute I would change places with you!
I thought of you last week. I’m glad you made it through OK. I’m sure in times like this, your flowering bulbs are even more of a joy!
I don’t think I could breathe in a house with that many hyacinths blooming inside. Gorgeous to see, but too overpowering nose-wise.
It’s a biggish, chilly, house with high ceilings, so with most of my stuff, you have to walk right up to the flower.
Here in my part of New Zealand we hardly even get frosts in winter any more, and the interesting thing about winter is the way the weeds can just keep growing right through.
I must say I’m impressed by the industrious dedication of gardeners who dig up half their garden and carry it in for the winter. I tend to be a bit more Darwinian in my approach – if you can’t survive outside, then this isn’t the garden for you.
Glad you are doing well.
Different climates create different expectations. 🙂
We use hardy, mostly broad leaved, evergreens for a tropical look in winter. Snow happens but very seldom. Typical 40°s to 60°s is nice. Summers are a bit hot and great for air-conditioning. The longer I live here the more I enjoy the winter garden. Christmas Hellebores are blooming and the first crocus are popping up.
The hyacinths sound lovely.
I need to pot up some of those next year.
Your flag looks beautiful.
Thank you
I’m never sure what’s interesting about interest in the garden anyway. I don’t look out the window at a snowdrop and think ‘that’s interesting!’ But your snowstorm definitely WAS interesting. Glad you survived it and hope it was without too much cost and damage.
Hilarious…. Did anyone see the American flag in the photo? Now THAT was winter interest!
I love that picture for that reason. The only color.
Yes… its excellent.. Its just that the author got into Garden Rant because of an article she posted about too many American flags… I guess I just saw it as hilarious… It is an excellent photo and well , humble opinion here but ( in spite of all our flaws) I find the American flag the most beautiful of all….