On Friday I took an afternoon stroll around the neighborhood and marveled at how quickly some of the tree and shrubs had leafed out after just a few mild spring days.
And then came Saturday.
The forecast called for up to 8 inches of heavy, wet snow. I was lamenting the damage it would do to my spring flowers. I prefer to admire my flowers in a garden rather than in a vase, but a friend suggested it might be wise to cut a nice big bouquet just in case, so that’s what I did!
The storm moved south at the last minute and we got about 3 inches instead of 8. But overnight the temperature dropped into the upper 20s (F). I’m still waiting to see how much damage was done to my perennials—many of which were already 6-8 inches tall.
And the shrubs and trees that were leaning way over from the weight of the snow on Sunday morning should snap back, but I’m not sure about the fate of the blossoms and buds on my viburnums and service berries or the neighborhood crab apple trees.
Last year we were surprised by a late-spring snowstorm on April 18th but the temperatures really hadn’t warmed up much yet, so it didn’t do a lot of plant damage. This year a storm surprised us 9 days later than that, but there were some nice growing days in between, and the trees, shrubs and plants were getting a good head start.
I know I’m not alone in hoping this is the last of the winter weather for awhile.
