
There’s a few things I don’t enjoy about winter:
- driving or walking during a freezing rain event (for readers who are not familiar with that term – take it literally, and imagine what freezing rain does on a road surface or sidewalk…)
- driving or walking after a freezing rain event, before salt, sand or sunshine has melted the ice
- the home heating bills when I don’t have enough firewood for the stove that normally heats the house
- rabbits (and the occasional deer) eating stems and tips of shrubs
But I love winter. Snow. Cold, refreshing temperatures. Flannel sheets. Time to read, and cook. Where I live, though, we don’t get nearly as much snow as other parts of the country, and it’s not nearly as cold, and the winter not nearly as long. So perhaps I’m a winter-lover, in moderation!
Here are six things from my garden this week. Photos were taken last Monday, after last Sunday’s snow storm, and yesterday late afternoon, after the morning’s snowfall. We’re expecting several days of above zero temperatures so this may all be melted by next weekend! To see more garden Sixes from around the world, most with no snow, check out The Propagator’s site.
1 – I call this my ‘twisty pine’ – there’s two trunks, with one part starting to swirl just inches from the ground, then spiraling upwards. The other part grows straight up, more or less. It’s difficult to notice this when the vegetation around the base is growing but up close it’s quite weird and wonderful. Right now; however, I’m a bit concerned. The tree should NOT be tilted in quite these directions (bending towards the left, and also to the right, on the ground). I have to wait for the snow to melt before getting in closer to see if the trunk split during last week’s winds.

2 – Sticking with trees, I have a number of large, dead tree trunks along the driveway fence line. Even though there’s a bit of a danger from them falling and either hitting the car (or me) if it happens to be on that part of the driveway at that moment, I like to keep them standing, rotting, providing habitat for bugs and then food for birds.
3 – And yet another tree – snow along the branch of a small pine, which was grown from seed scattered by a cousin of the twisty pine, above.

4 – Yesterday’s snow acting as a hat on some Sedum spectabile:

5 – This is an unknown honeysuckle (Lonicera) bush that is not native and is considered invasive here (as opposed to the native, Diervilla honeysuckle). It does look pretty when it flowers in the spring, and also when covered in snow:

6 – And finally, a lone Goldenrod (Solidago) flower stalk. As a reminder of the past, glorious, growing season.

Living in Canada and not like winter and snow would be a mistake … Very nice pictures as usual Chris
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Thanks!
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If it only were a matter of snow, I’d be more than willing to live in the midwest again. I love snow. But I remember other realities: frozen door locks, iced windshields, having to warm up the car, etc. I suppose technology may have alleviated some of the realities of life from decades ago, but still…
Your photos are beautiful, though, and stir that urge to see snow again. I especially like your twisty pine. I have an artificial Christmas tree, but it’s a double-trunked Texas cedar. I love that tree, and am anxious to get it up — as soon as I clear a spot of moving boxes!
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I’m pretty sure winter conditions in the US midwest are harsher than Southeastern Ontario…think New England, Maine perhaps, but with less snow. I know the Canadian prairies are much colder! Ice not contained in a rink is my winter foe!
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Great photos. I’ve only seen freezing rain once when the Beast from the East arrived. It was quite something.
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Yes. Pretty to look at but can be deadly.
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Looking cold, bit crisp and clean – love the picture of the pine!
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Thanks! Such a change from the muggy hot summer!
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Love the pictures of snow, I think I will stay in Florida for the winter!
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So great to see your garden โ Iโm from Canada (originally Nova Scotia). I really appreciate seeing whatโs going on in your world. And lovely, careful observations and photos!
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Thanks so much Cathy! I have friends who are just moving to Lunenburg so I hope to see the maritimes soon, finally!
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It looks so coldโฆlovely pictures that seem to capture the scene.
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Definitely not shorts and t-shirt weather! But nice for a few months of the year
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O Chris, I fear for your mental health, liking winter. One of the reasons I moved to this rain sot place called the UK was to get away from snow. How’s the pine tree? Hopefully it’s not split! Whatever’s growing behind the sedum really adds to that photo (the tall, yellowy stuff – bamboo, grass?). Do your dead trees bring you woodpeckers?
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๐๐๐ I know. My head needs examining! The pine tree is NOT split!!! It was just a bit bent under the weight of the snow. The tall stiff is an unknown ornamental grass, and yes, woodpeckers by the fistful!
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The grass is beautiful & great news re: the pine. I love a good woodpecker, so hope you do, too.
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Lovely snow pictures, but you can keep your snow!
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One does not often hear those who are familiar with snow expressing an appreciation for it. I would like to see it someday, but I doubt I could tolerate what is normal for your region.
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If I was s Californian I’d likely be happy not to deal with snow!
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