It is unusual for me to be working in the gardens so late in the year. Our fall was a long and warm one; and especially dry until now. We’ve had a weird blossoming of crab, forsythia, and other early wood buds. I guess that means the spring will be different, too.
The oak trees are still holding their leaves, which is usual; but there are other varieties that have been slow to drop.
This common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) typically holds its leaves until late fall, but I don’t remember it being green in December. Buckthorn is an invasive species here in Ohio. The dark berries of the shrub seem to fall prolifically in the summer. I’ve stained my shirts and shoes numerous times as I’ve work under its branches.
Our first frost was last week, and we got a dusting of snow following it. I’ve had plenty of time to get the beds cleaned up, yet somehow I didn’t quite get it done!
There are still window screens to take down, pots to clean out, and the fountain to drain.
Our unusual fall weather brought with it some monster winds as cold fronts and warm fronts clashed. As a result, we have lots of firewood.
The storms knocked down many trees around the area. Luckily, nothing hit our house, but a little “project” sailboat in the back yard took a fatal hit.
Though much of the yard and surrounding wood have turned to brown or tan, there are bright spots. Berries of the Barberry bush (Berberis vulgaris) are striking against the neutral palette.
Snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) doesn’t seem to mind a dusting of snow in winter.
That’s it for December’s garden. What do you have “growing on?”
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