SNOW QUEENS

An arctic blast swept across the southeast this week, including the greater Houston area. We covered what we could. I was mostly concerned about our cool-season vegetable garden. It had been painstakingly sowed, lovingly tended, and was growing beautifully. I still don't know what has and has not survived--it's all still covered. But that's not what this post is about. Instead, I'd like to boast on behalf of our Snow Queens, plants that not only made it through the frigid temperatures and snow but looked good doing it!

Camellias! They're shaking off the snow just fine. Of course, we did plant Yuletide camellias (Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide'). They're bred to flower in winter, but still, it's been far colder than our norm. I thought the blooms might just drop off, but nope! They don't seem the least bit disturbed by the snow.

Azaleas also surprised me. I did not expect anything serious to happen to the plants, but the blooms? They'd been flowering out of season due to the mild December weather. Not all the flowers survived, but Rhododendron 'Fashion' and some of our encore azaleas sailed smoothly through the freeze.

Of course, cool season annuals like snapdragons, pansies, and violas have been their usual stellar selves. It amazes me that they grow abundantly during summer in milder climates. They don't even seem to notice the freezing weather conditions. Well, at least what's showing seems to be fine. Some are completely buried under snow. Still, I have a good feeling about them.

The snow this week has kept me from actively pursuing the rehaul of our welcoming garden. I've been writing instead. But next week? Who knows?