19 February 2009

Signs of Spring, Nova Scotia Style


With all the celebratory postings and pictures of spring coming from some of my gardening friends around the Northern Hemisphere, I thought i'd walk around the yard and show you what is growing on in our yard. Here's a look at the clematis, blue poppies, magnolia and assorted other things. What, you can't see them in the five foot deep snowbank around the arbour? Tsk tsk. Let's go a little further. 

Oh, here we have another lovely wave of snow, prettily needlepointed with a thousand thousand bird tracks. It was too nice a day for the snow buntings to visit, and I saw them down by the shore, flying in jubilant waves. 

The mostly-buried rose is the aptly named Snow Pavement, or Schneekopf. It won't be blooming for a while yet. The snow here is between 2-3 feet deep, rather deeper off to the right where the big drift is. 

Ah well, it's a beautiful day even if the plants are a bit shy about showing themselves. Even the wild plants are a bit reluctant to burst forth yet, but they're still showing seedheads in lots of cases. I believe this is a Hypericum, or St. John's wort, but I could be mistaken. 

This, on the other hand, is knapweed, a relative of the various Centaureas many of us grow in our gardens. It's a great bee plant and birds like its seeds, so I think it's a Good Thing. 

And one of my favourite wild plants is Queen Anne's Lace, or wild carrot. It just pleases me by its structurally interesting blooms at all times of year. 

Finally, a visit to the Hellebore 'Ivory Prince' and Hamamelis 'Diane.'. Well, I couldn't give them a closeup because there was a big drift in the way...and they were well and truly buried too. As in completely. I expect 'Diane' will emerge first but alas, Frances my friend, (who taught me how to get my hellebores through winter and whose garden I dream of visiting) I can't celebrate my blooms yet, so I'll just enjoy yours. And those of others fortunate enough to have spring in midwinter. 

Did I mention we have another storm due today? 

30 comments:

  1. Wow, all those tracks, you did have a thousand thousand birds. The storm missed us, we got less than half and inch and some freezing rain.

    No signs of spring in my area either. As you say, we will have to enjoy an early spring season thru our blogging friends farther south.
    Marnie

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  2. It sure looks chilly! Beautiful though. There are times when I wish we had that kind of snowfall, then there are times I prefer what we have.

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  3. Jodi, I am having a hard time finding spring in your posting. Oh, that is the point! Ha! It is coming, be patient. Sooner or later winter must break its spell on Nova Scotia.

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  4. Thank you for showing us your garden Jodi. I can enjoy your snow but appreciate you must be getting tired of it by now. It is a useful reminder to us all that through we are having some lovely spring-like days winter hasn't finished yet. The days getting lighter and longer must be the first signs that spring is on its way. It is fun to see spring coming at different times around the world through blogs and I am glad you joined in. Thank you.

    Best wishes Sylvia (England)

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  5. Jodi,

    Love your signs of spring ;) and another storm coming! Yikes! We have many plants in common, for sure, but mine aren't dressed in white. It is beautiful and I can see the sun sparkling on the snow. We could use a little bit of the snowy blanket tonight with winter deciding to grace us with temps in the teens (F). Keep warm.

    gail

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  6. Ha, this is classic, Jodi! Puts our little snowfall of yesterday into perspective. I, too, love knapweed and Queen Anne's lace and encourage them here at Hawk's Haven!

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  7. Plants? There are plants in your garden? What a novel idea! ;-)

    You got snow I have rain, non-stop rain today. There's always something to keep you from going out and about in the garden.

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  8. And to think that half of England grinds to a halt when we have a couple of inches of snow! May Spring soon be upon you.

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  9. Can you believe it?! Stupid weather. I must say that the snow went down a couple of inches, though, in the last two sunny days -- then again, when you're talking FEET, 2" doesn't seem like much, does it. :) Hang in there, and batten down. I'm hoping it somehow misses us as Erin, Sebastian, and grandson Nolan were coming home from NB this weekend; now Sunday doesn't even look great for travel. :(

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  10. Look at that snow, my heavens! I adore the color of your house. So pretty with the snow and plants. Beautiful all 'round!

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  11. I find it so interesting to see what's going on in yards in the different areas. Yours looks picturesque with the sun shining on all that snow, Jodi, but I know how you long for the warmth of spring, and a glimpse of green.
    I was out taking pics on Tuesday morning of sparkling snow and ice crystals on seedheads and winter weary plants. The kitties were enjoying the stroll in the sunshine too :) Breathing the fresh air felt so good!
    Spring will be along soon...

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  12. Oh my, not too Spring-y indeed... Your pictures are lovely nevertheless!

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  13. Jodi:
    It's been snowing all morning here in Ontario, -8 without the bitter winds that are cutting across the landscape.
    I love the colour of your house, such a gorgeous blue. Kudos for the 'winter tour' - I'm more than excited to see what spring will bring forth from those deep snow banks. Patience is a virtue that is hard for we Northerners to grasp. At least you have the marvellous birds to keep you and the cats company! Subdivisions such as mine tend to drive them away! Stay warm, perhaps a hot cider is in order!

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  14. LOL!! Jodie what beautiful blooms you have under all of that white.I could see it though as you were explaining it all.

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  15. We just need one inch of snow and this country grinds to a halt Jodi :) Goodness knows how we would cope if that lot was dumped on us. I hope that all your treasures are warm and undamaged underneath that white blanket.

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  16. Your garden looks pretty even covered in snow. I also love the color of your house, it looks so pretty surrounded by snow.

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  17. Hi Jodi, my friend, thanks for the walk about, and the link love. I remember well how beautiful your garden is under that snow, and even have your wonderful Gardener's Greenbook to remind me with those fabulous photos of your garden and others. I was straining my eyes to see Diane, but will wait until the time is right. I know you will show her to us. I love your snow pictures, the shadows and glistening are magical.
    Frances

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  18. A magnificent winter wonderland, but how anxious you must be for winter to release her grip on the landscape. We've had a snowy winter, but nothing like the quantities you've received. I did enjoy the scenery, however./Deb

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  19. It's always a nice sign when spring
    time is approahing.....ahh

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  20. I expect you have to keep a sense of humor when winter sticks around so long and so determinedly. Yours shines through in this post--good for you! Hang in there. Spring is in Austin and is surely packing her bags for parts farther north.

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  21. When one gardens in zone 4 we must be able to use our imaginations. Like you I leave plants for winter interest, kind of breaks up the expanse of white. Love the bird prints.

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  22. When one gardens in zone 4 we must be able to use our imaginations. Like you I leave plants for winter interest, kind of breaks up the expanse of white. Love the bird prints.

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  23. Looking at your yard makes me feel less sorry for myself. We keep getting snow, but it melts between rounds. We still have some piles here and there, but the 5 inches we got Friday is mostly gone.

    Hang in there!

    Great pics!

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  24. Jodi, I don't know how you far northners do it. I would go crazy with those winters that last forever! Our winters here are long enough.

    I really like your arbor in front of your door. What a treat to walk through it when it's covered with flowers. Queen Anne's Lace is considered a weed here and that's a shame because it is such a delicate flower. My Mom dried them and used them in flower 'paintings'. I still have a couple that she did with dried pansys.

    Take care and think spring. :}

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  25. We've got another winter storm due in here later tonight, too. Maybe the same system, I don't know. In any case, it's 19 degrees at the moment, and though the sun is shining, it ain't Florida, that's for sure!

    Not a thing showing any signs of blooming here, either.

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  26. I have to admit your winter's are tougher than mine. I can't say a sign of spring is the snow melted enough to look out the windows.

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  27. Jodi, I love your sense of humor!
    Here's hopping all those snow banks will melt sooner than later. You have made me feel thankful for my balmy zone 6b!

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  28. Hey Jodi,It's like another country where you are! (Wait. It IS another country!:)
    You have a thousand thousand FEET of snow! And it looks like it could be there for a thousand thousand YEARS! (No. just kidding-maybe just a thousand years).

    Hopefully you'll be kept so busy taking garden photos, surfing garden websites, reading garden magazines and books, and writing garden posts that you won't even notice the snow outside--& before you know it, it'll be SPRING!

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  29. QAL is pretty awesome, isn't it? One of my fave wild flowers too.

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  30. Before these assembled witnesses I do solemnly swear that I, James A-S, will never again complain about winter in Britain.
    I will never moan when we have six inches of snow that lasts about a week before melting into warm grey slush.
    I will appreciate the fact that we will never, ever have snow higher than my socks.

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