
Spring arrived Wednesday in the last few minutes of the afternoon and, as if rushing to keep up with a train schedule, the snow began to melt. These past few relatively warm, sunshiny days have exposed brown grass, fallen branches, soft squishy soil, soft squishy dog turds and, yes, Galanthus. That’s right, Snowdrops were pushing through the soil under the thick blanket of snow for the past few weeks and can now be seen, both in clumps where I’ve planted them and individually where, perhaps, chipmunks or squirrels have kindly thought to relocate them.
Also exposed is the garlic in its raised bed. A few cloves sprouted last fall, but the new spring growth has definitely started.
seThe rabbit damage is more evident now as well. I’ve never noticed Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) being eaten but this winter, with the deep snow and a noticeable lack of predators, rabbits have been ravenously attacking shrubs and small trees like never before. Look how much of this bark has been stripped away. These Sumac will grow back from the roots, but I’ll likely loose the architectural canopy of foliage I’ve been encouraging.

The rabbits don’t eat everything, of course. They adore Bridalwreath Spirea (Spiraea × vanhouttei) but ignore Garland Spirea (Spiraea x arguta ‘Compacta‘). They crunch through the tender tips of Viburnum and Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus) like it was candy but won’t touch Lilac or Fothergilla. Happily, they also ignore evergreen herbs like Salvia and Thymus. Here’s a small patch of variegated lemon thyme I transplanted from a pot into the ground last fall. Seems to be doing all right.

The snow’s not ALL melted (we experience frosty nights until mid May, after all), and in areas where it’s drifted or is in a bit of shade it’s still quite deep. I like how it’s melted in bits along this mossy woodland path. Looks like white stepping stones, doesn’t it?

Finally, to make up my Six this week, I rescued an aging yellow cooking onion from the compost bin a few days ago. It had been uneaten for too long and had sprouted a good four inches while in its basket on top of the fridge. Put it in a plastic pot with some potting soil, put the pot in this pretty Chinese ceramic container and voila. I’ll likely plant it in the kitchen garden in a few months and hope it flowers.

That’s my Six this Saturday. I’m hoping the seasonal weather keeps up so that I’ll soon be posting a plethora of pictures featuring posies galore. For more Sixes from around the world, many with actual flowers in them, head on over the The Propagator’s site.
Pesky wabbits. Glad Spring is on the way for you.
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Our first Saturday of spring looks just like yours, still a bit brown and gray. The potted onion looks absolutely artistic!
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A LOT brown and grey!!!! 😁 I’m looking forward to seeing what the onion does.
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We can see that the weather is not the same as us … Your much colder weather makes the galanthus bloom now, for example, while here they are faded …and tulips have arrived
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I planted a bunch of species Tulip last fall….don’t quite remember where so am looking forward to their appearance!!
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Wow! Glad to see the snow has gone at last and I am very impressed that your Lemon Thyme is growing! I lost mine last year in our few days of snow.
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Much of the snow is gone but I think the most I can say about the thyme is….it’s there. And, apparently, not dead. As for growing, thyme will tell…😁
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Haha…
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I am glad that the thaw has started for you. Pesky rabbits! They are a menace.
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Pesky wabbits indeed. You need to channel your inner Elmer Fudd. I do not envy you your extended winter, by the time it gets to the end of January I am done with it and ready to roll. Bad enough I have to wait another month! Your plants are probably accustomed to getting going fast once the weather turns.
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Yes you’re right. I’m always astounded by Silphium or even sunflowers that go from zero to two metres and more in just a few months. And often, with a persistent winter, our spring is too short, I go from wearing my parka to a t-shirt in just weeks. Not much of a spring bulb show.
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I suppose that if it is springtime in Prince Edward County, it is springtime everywhere north of the Equator. That last picture is amusing just because there are both onions and potatoes growing on the perimeter of the bit compost pile, where I dump kitchen scraps. How high up is that damage from the rabbits? Such damage is rare for us, and when it happens, it is not far from ground level. The rabbits here are very small.
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I must have super rabbits. Not something to be proud of. The bark has been stripped to about three feet up, a bit more maybe. But the snow was about two feet deep there. So maybe not that super.
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DANG! Do they ‘hop and chomp’? Do they fly? . . . or are they just very tall? That is some crazy rabbit damage!
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