So... second nor’easter within a week… Thank goodness, this one was a bust! That is, at least in my neck of the woods on the south shore of Long Island. My sister in NJ got about 10” of wet heavy snow, and our GUG up in CT got more snow than me, but more devastating, lost many trees on his property. :(
But by now, no matter what that damn groundhog predicted, here on Long Island in March we’re at that point in time when it is warming up enough that even with snow and storms, the days following are up and over freezing… so thankfully any snow generally doesn’t stick around that long. It really helps living on an island. We really do get the benefit of the ocean to keep things warmer than further upstate. March here really does mean that despite the cold and snow, beneath the soil, the winter season is indeed cycling towards Spring.
Note: At this point, I am not going to even mention the possible new snowstorm developing for the early part of next week!
My hellebores began shooting up several bud stalks the past few weeks because of the warming temps and I see other signs of Spring in the form of tiny leaves unfolding on the mock orange, the bridal wreath spirea, the rapidly growing marsh marigold, and fattening leaf buds on sheltered rose bushes! Daffodils, hyacinths, crocus and other bulb plants are pushing up their leaves from the earth. This is the time of year that worry novice gardeners, and they wonder if these snows will kill the new green they see pushing out and up.
Have you ever wondered how plants actually survive the snow and cold?
How Do Plants Cope With the Cold?
To answer this question we have to consider plants at the cellular level.
How do the cells of cold-tolerant plants survive sub-freezing temperatures, i.e., withstand dehydration and, more importantly at very low temperatures (below 0o F or -18o C) , avoid the formation of ice crystals in the cell?
1. Accumulation of solutes (sucrose, mainly, but also other organic compounds such as proline) by the cells to depress the freezing point of water (think salting ice on the sidewalk) and to stabilize membranes. (But this can only be effective at temperatures from 32o F to 20o F.)
2. So-called “antifreeze” proteins help prevent ice crystals from forming in the extracellular spaces (outside cell); plant cells that make these proteins typically secrete them into cell wall region (intercellular spaces).
3. The plant cells may synthesize proteins called “dehydrins”, which are inside the cell (cytoplasm), may bind water molecules and alter the collective structure of water in the cell to stabilize membranes.
4. Plant cells can alter lipid composition of cellular membranes in order to adjust the fluidity (functionality) to colder temperatures.
I am glad for adaptation and evolution, it keeps this gardener sane this time of year for all my decades on this earth. So onward to March’s State of kishik’s Garden — that is, kishik’s plants that survive the cold and snow...
One of my earliest blooming plants in the yard is the Himilayan Sweet Box. It starts budding out late January and blooming in February — March! It’s very fragrant for all the tiny size of the flowers, and is odd to get whiffs of blooming flowers in the dead of winter. I really recommend that you pick this up if you ever see it. It's safe down to zone 6.
Himilayan Sweet Box — this is, as you can see, an evergreen. It’s shade and drought tolerant. Grows slowly.Clumping bamboo. Snow, ice, nor’easter winds will not kill it.
As a clumping bamboo, it grows out very slowly. The wildbirds shelter in this during storms.Hellebores will soon be in full bloom.
With this past snow storm — the accumulation numbers were uncertain. I covered these up to keep them from getting smushed by any weight of snow. Hellebore leaves are TOUGH. They may get a little wind burned, but they do not freeze.Marsh Marigold
Marsh marigolds are the first flashy flowers in the spring. They’re a beautiful golden yellow like buttercups. Give the ground a few warm days and they will grow rapidly — even in January.water cress!
oddly — this cress is something I bought at the grocery since it was being sold as a hydroponically grown plant and the roots were still intact. Water cress is a good stream plant. It helps to filter the water. I do place heaters in the pond to ensure water flows at the falls and the stream… this little piece has survived through this whole winter. I had pulled out most at the end of the season, but I guess left a tiny bit that has continued to grow slowly. Never expected it to survive.Siberian wallflower
The frog holds some siberian wallflower plants… a plant aptly named.The day after this last snow storm, the crocus still poked up their on the edge of spent blooms.
these are the same flowers I posted last week… so their rough looking petals are from age, not the cold!Snowdrops
Snowdrops close their flowers during the cold and dreary daysTo leave things on a colorful note, I asked Mo to pose for a photo… I like to see the greening up of my garden in late winter, but I can’t wait to see more colour in the garden.
What’s going on in your gardens? In a few weeks it will be APRIL!!
ps… daylight savings time begins