Plants Emerging In February (surprise)

Snow here and snow there, we look around and see snow everywhere. Dr. Suess should have written a story where his characters were engulfed and surrounded with snow. The rhythm and rhyme of everything snowy.

Snowdrops
Snowdrops

Well he didn’t write it, but here in the northeastern part of the United States, specifically, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York we are living it. No poetry  and laughter. No joy and frolicking. We are awaiting the weather break as if waiting for a cup of hot chocolate after playing in the snow for hours. But where is it? January came and went. February is here and showing little signs of encouragement. If we are going to catch a break we first need the mounds of snow built up around our homes to begin melting so as to expose some fresh earth. With this series of events we may see our first hope of winter coming to a close. SNOWDROPS. Our plant acting as doorman, opening a door between seasons.

Snow Drops in the garden
Snow Drops in the garden (close view)
Snow Drops in the garden (wider view)
Snow Drops in the garden (wider view)

As ground temperatures slowly rise these beauties (Snowdrops) will pop right through the snow to express themselves with muted green leaves. The leaves are followed by wonderfully nodding heads that don’t last long but in groups congregating all by themselves in the garden, definitely make their presence noticed.

Snow Drops in the garden (clear demonstration)

Outside Ithaca, N.Y, Hitch Lyman grows about 400 kinds of Snowdrops. Snowdrop bulbs are to be planted dry in the fall for springtime displays and to renew their vigor every few years, they should be lifted and separated in the springtime after flowering. I am putting all this technical info into this article so all those who might have the illusion of planting and enjoying these wonders this year (if you don’t already  have them) should not be disappointed. Every good garden is built on a hope and a dream. These little wonders are no maintenance and should be planted into areas that are not to be disturbed for years to come. Under a tree or at the crossroads between other shade loving plants.

Snowdrops don’t rise above the ground more than one foot, before leaning slightly and flowering, so don’t plant them behind a larger evergreen, unless part of a garden walk that takes you in and around all your plants. This is one of the first group breaking plants before the winter comes to a close. There are other plants that give us opportunities to bid winter goodbye but my intention was only to tease you with what is to come. With a little bit of hope and vision of what to look forward to we should survive this intense winter weather and live to see a warmer, brighter, greener day.

Please don’t wait for those around you to reach out and hug you, express themselves to you. If you need it you reach out and get what is yours.

Spread the love and lift each others spirit, every moment of every day.

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