While
this year winds up I'm making time to reflect on those loved plants
that were lost this past spring. Winter was hard, ice storm after
ice storm that created layers of ice, some as 8” thick.
Unfortunately, the shallow rooted plants did not survive. Most of
those were plants I had cherished for years.
It
wasn't until late spring that I realized the loss of Turtleheads, a
beloved plant rescused from a derelict heritage property decades ago;
Meadow-rue, an etheral plant with blossoms so delicate in star
formation; the Toad Lilies I adored for their orchid blooms in autumn
when the garden was waning; and not the least, Lenten Roses. Each
plant had succumbed to the ice.
The
herbacious shrub Auria, while prolific, was a slug for water. In our
dry summers, it did not perform well. I was disappointed but not
surprised, though I did miss those lemon hued leaves amongst the deep
green of ostrich ferns.
Next
spring the plan is to lay seeping hoses as soon as the frost
evaporates. Each and every grouping will be wrapped so the loss will
be less. It will be easier to accomplish as I will have time. Lack
of time this year when everything in my life suffered may be recorded
in another posting.
I've
composted and up-heeled the newbies in the garden; refused to wrap
the confirerous as if they don't make it here in this climate they
won't make it anywhere; long passed pots of mums lay in repreive
among the yews; and green thumbs are crossed.
