Cast ne’er a clout
What a mad few days the weather has provided. Saturday was glorious – even hot! Then the wind turned and blew viciously from the north. Pots and garden chairs blew around the garden. Yesterday I had to repot some big houseplants and it was like hanging out washing on a ship – compost flying in my face and plants and their pot covers whirling around me in the gale. But the two days of wind calmed last night. It should have been a warning.
The sun rose with a big smile on his face this morning, streaming through the window. I looked out to find the window was frosted – with frost!
The garden has been rushing along, optimistic and innocent of the cruel twists that lay in wait. Well it has had a rude shock.
Lilies stand with limp leaves and hostas are floppy and covered in ice crystals.
This alstroemeria was actually collapsing in front of me as the leaves thawed and went limp
Allium ‘Ostara’ will probably be unharmed
The poor little ‘Empress Wu’ seedlings were starting to make decent growth. They look so cold!
Just a few days ago I was reveling in the beauty of the azaleas
..and babbling on about how magnolia ‘Daphne’ flowered late so usually missed the frost. Today the flowers and leaves are frozen solid
Fortunately, the frost was not too deep and everything in the polytunnel is OK.
I am sure that most plants will recover and I am worrying too much but it just seems a shame.
* to those who don’t know the phrase ‘Cast ne’er a clout till May be out’ it refers to a winter hat and to not stop wearing it till May is out. Whether that means till the month of May is gone or until may blossom (crataegus) is the subject of regular debate.
I think there is more frost forecasted for later this week. I planted my tomatoes in the polytunnel way too early.. next year I’ll be more careful and patient!
Hope you dont have significant damage.
Thank you. The frost did not happen till 4am and is gone by 8 so the polytunnel is OK. It is so difficult to predict the weather! Let’s hope there is no more frost this week. Good luck
Judging by your poor plants, must be the former!
Goodness, you did get a blast of frost while we had none of it here. We had the dahlias planted out since Saturday and they were untouched. Yesterday had a bitter breeze all morning but it was milder in the afternoon.
I was worried about your dahlias! They would not have liked it here last night. It did not freeze till 4am and was gone at 8 but it was enough to do a lot of damage. I am glad you escaped
Not a touch on them!
Glad to hear it 🙂
It never rains in Southern California. (Actually, it does. I have seen it happen.)
(. . . Actually, frost happens in some places too.)
This has been a week of cold nights here too.
Cercis candanensis new foliage is all burnt. Top of overwintering ground dahlias burnt. Surface damage but so disappointing!
Great job on GW last night
I hope things recover. Thank you