Posted on by Donna

Frosty November Blooms

November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.
–  Elizabeth Coatsworth

This poem says it all for my November garden on this Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day@ May Dreams Gardens.  We had our first dusting of snow.  It was cold, raw, wet.  The temps didn’t get above 40.  But this was just one day.  A preview of what is to come.  Last year the first dusting was 2 weeks later at the end of November.  Of course the snow kept going into December and didn’t let up until March.  I am hoping for a continuation of warm weather (warm for us is 50) and sun with few days as pictured above.

Because of all the frosts, freezes and now wet snow, there is little blooming in the garden.  But I have lots to show you especially given that it is also Word for Wednesday at Garden Walk, Garden Talk.  The word for this week is Pattern and Texture.  Just the perfect words to describe what I see in November in my garden.  Weather patterns shift daily almost hourly sometimes.  Waking up in a deep freeze, the temps can soar to 70.  Or as the picture above shows, rain changes to snow and all is laid low by the heavy accumulation.

With frost in the garden, you can’t help but get patterns and texture; a natural or chance marking, configuration or design.  And once a garden is subjected to a deep freeze (it was 25 degrees overnight), the patterns of leaves are outlined in a coating of white; the textures of the garden suddenly different.  As the sun rises, the early morning light gives everything a warm sparkling glow, making it tricky to capture images before they melt.

 

The pond froze for the first time last week.  Even the bright green algae is still alive and suspended in the ice.  I love the pattern the ice makes as if the rippling water were flash frozen.  There was still one large dragonfly hanging around the pond but other than that it was silent.  All life  buried in the mud and leaves on the bottom asleep until spring.

 

The roses were also encased in ice as if they has been left in a freezer too long.  The delicate petals dried and papery encrusted, sparkling.

 

Even the long ago dried blooms of this hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ weren’t spared.  Every little petal wearing layers of ice looking like a dusting of snow.

 

The long blooming white gaura couldn’t escape the icy coating.  The flower was frozen, the ice just beginning to grow on it like a sparkling fungus.  Once warmed, the petals become lifeless, drooping.

 

Flaming sedum heads now freezer burned waiting for the sun to release them from this icy capture.

 

This lavender looks like coral deep beneath the sea.  Its fuzzy foliage now sprinkled with ice deep in shade waiting for the sun to rescue it.

 

The lemon thyme looks like it has been dipped in a sugar.  Ice almost growing as each layer is forming thick on the leaves.

 

And what of the hostas?  Those closest to the house in shade slowly were fading.  With the flash freeze, they look like lettuce that has been frozen.  The exotic leaves once suple now frozen from the inside out, and with the thaw water logged, fading fast.

 

Even the meadow plants were not spared.  Already dried and lifeless, they are given a coating of white looking as if snow had dusted their heads revealed only in the morning light.  Was nothing spared this icy doom?  A few surprises caught my eye.

 

The ornamental grass that grows on the corner of the patio has the softest flowers.  They feel silky to the touch and wave in the wind.  Close up they sparkle in the early fall light as if they were an icy confection.  Still dry and silky they were spared a frosty doom.

 

This New England Aster is situated against the house in the walled rain garden.  It would seem there is an insulated microclimate here.  The blooms remain bright and vibrant even though the foliage is encrusted in ice.

 

 Clematis ‘Belle of Woking’ finally put out one more bloom despite the freeze and snow.  It is a hardy variety that is a joy to see among the brown all around it.  This plant is in the front garden and rests against the cement porch.

 

This buttery yellow scabiosa is still blooming in the front garden.  This is one of a few blossoms that refuses to quit.  I have never really investigated the microclimates of my garden.  I would surmise there are patterns with the spring, summer and fall blooms in these microclimates.  I know plants that are closest to the house or situated against warmed stone/cement will bloom sooner and longer.  But what other interesting patterns might emerge?

In next week’s post, I will highlight the native plants, some still blooming, and the wonderful native foliage starring in my November garden.

 

Linking in to the German version at Seepferds Garten for Blogger Blüten in November.  I am linking in to Pam@Digging with her Foliage Follow Up on the 16th.  Perfect time to flaunt the foliage in the garden.  Since I don’t have time for more than one post this week, I hope she doesn’t mind I am combining my foliage and flowers.

I have also not had a chance all season to link in to Katarina@Roses and Stuff and her wonderful meme Blooming Friday.  This week’s theme is “On My Wishing List”.  Here is my wish.  To see more gorgeous blooms from this Veronica (Speedwell) continue into December.  The longer the warm days linger, the more likely I will get my wish.

 Pleasure is the flower that passes; remembrance, the lasting perfume.  ~Jean de Boufflers

 


As always, I’ll be joining Tootsie Time’s Fertilizer Friday.  So drop by to check out all the wonderful flowers this Friday.

Also my latest post, A Trip to a Bog, is up at Beautiful Wildlife Gardening.  I hope you enjoy it.

Please remember, to comment click on the title of the post and the page will reload with the comments section.

 

All content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View.  Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.

75 Replies to “Frosty November Blooms”

  1. Hi Donna,

    Snow??? Nooooooooooooooo, it’s much too soon! Hopefully it’ll hold off a little while longer for you.

    I’ve just popped out into the front garden to pull up some couch grass that’s popped up in a border I dig over a couple of months ago and guess what I spotted? Crocus coming up? It’s far too soon for that. I think this relatively mild temps we’ve been having has tricked them.

    Mild temps, but grim, grey mistiness instead. I’m unsure which I’d prefer to have. Cold but at least some sun, or mild grey depressive weather?

    1. Liz I think I will take the sun. I actually saw crocus foliage last week and tried to ignore it..the poor bulbs…as long as the grey isn’t too long I can take a bit of it…our weather has warmed again with sun so I will take these blessed days!!

    1. Ah you know me too well…I actually was so happy that the 25 degree night was on a weekend so I could get out at the crack of dawn and get those images…during the snow the other day, my hands were freezing in the cold, wet snow but the pictures were lovely…with little blooming, I have to take advantage of the beauty of the season…glad you enjoyed them…makes the frost bite worthwhile!!

  4. I knew the words of pattern and texture would be Fall fitting. It is a time a year we notice them more. Your images fit in with all the memes really well. Can you believe my garden still has flowers and they were snowed upon? I did not even picture all that still have bloom. How they make it through those chilly temps I do not know. I did a separate post for GBBD only because I did the typical designer version of pattern and texture. No special insight into the words, just the garden basics. Thanks and see you Wednesday!

    1. Can’t wait to read them both…and no I cannot believe you have flowers…mine were done in with the freeze of 25 degrees…I wish we just had some frost and snow…then I would have flowers…snow doesn’t kill mine…freeze well you saw what it did….

  5. Oh, I don’t think I am ready for snow just yet. We had two nights of almost freezing temperatures which took out the azalea blooms but otherwise everything is intact. I like the photos of the ice on your pond. I agree that ice makes very interesting patterns. Stay warm!

  6. You’ve captured the frost beautifully, Donna. And isn’t it amazing that little scabiosa escaped it? Interesting that you mention micro climates… my daily blessing post today eludes to this in my gardens… a joy indeed!

  8. Gorgeous photos, Donna. I hope warm, 50 is warm for us too, will continue for awhile longer. It’s always so sad to say goodbye to the garden. Love your Aster, Clemmy and Scabiosa flowers. Microclimates are nice.

    1. Thx Grace…almost 70 and sun today and 50s through the weekend although we will have a day of 40 and wet snow/rain…one day is bearable….hope your garden is having lovely weather too!!

  9. I was in the Adirondacks over the weekend … it snowed there, but in beautiful large white dainty flakes. I watched it from a cozy restaurant warming up with an Ubu! So, I didn’t mind my first glimpse of snow. It is unusually warm here at home right now, but windy. Love the blooms, patterns and textures in your gardens! And why don’t I have any Scabiosa planted in my garden?

    1. What a perfect location to watch large flakes of snow…I know I can;t ge tover how warm it is…glad you enjoyed the blooms and textures…as for the scabiosa…you know you are welcome to any I have…blue, yellow burgundy…when we get to visiting in the spring, I will pot some pieces…the yellow seems to seed itself freely….

    1. Absolutely…the freeze and frost is beautiful as long as it warms up but the downside is the loss of flowers…although I have a few hardy souls left!!

  11. Lovely captures of the frost. We have the same weather throughout the year so we traveled to the highlands to enjoy the mist and the cool air a few days ago. 🙂 No opportunity to capture frosty flowers. Enjoy yours.

    1. Thx and so glad you enjoyed them…how interesting to live where the weather is the same…when I travel to Arizona next week, we will go to the mountains too for a day…their desert weather is much the same all year too..

  12. I love the frosted rose, it’s beautiful! I’m still waiting for our first frost. It only hasn’t come because I’m actually ready for it this year. Row covers over all the sensitive plants. Potted plants tucked away in the greenhouse. We probably won’t get snow at all, although we did have a rare dusting last winter. That said, I’m actually already getting anxious for spring, can you believe it?! I think it’s short days…I don’t feel like I’m getting much done these days!

    1. Clare that rose was priceless….we have had many frosts but little snow thankfully. I also use row covers for veggie planting in cold weather…I can’t wait for spring already especially because it is dark by 5…

  13. Winter is visiting you a little earlier than us this year. We had one day of snow, but otherwise November has been very mild. I love that white Clematis! And your photos of the icy plants–especially the Rose–are priceless! Happy Bloom Day and meme days!

    1. We only had one day of some accumulation but many frosts and freezes at night..our days have been so mild I am shocked…so glad you loved the plants icy and not..happy GBBD!!

  14. The frozen scenes are so beautiful moreso because we don’t see them here, but i pity those which are still frozen alive like those in the pond. So when the frost wanes, everything will lost their leaves! Oh sorry for them.

    1. Andrea so glad you enjoyed the frozen landscape…usually the pond doesn’t freeze over enough to kill those hibernating at the bottom in the mud….and yes after a freeze most start to lose their leaves more and die back…it is sad…

  15. I feel cold only looking at your pictures! The one with the frozen rose is very nice! Soon it will start freezing in my garden too.

    1. Alberto how wonderful to have you visit. I have not been around Blotanical for months due to work, but hope to connect more with bloggers again soon. Glad you enjoyed my frosty blooms. Many are already gone. You are welcome to visit anytime!!

  16. Great photos Donna. We have not had really cold temps yet which is unusual. But the shortened days, long shadows and steel gray skies are a reminder that it will snow any time now.

    1. Wow that is unusual. We had the one night in the 20s and one brief snowfall. Other than that we have had days in the 30s and 40s but most have been in the 50s and 60s. If not for the freeze, I would still have blooms.

    1. Dorothy welcome to my frosty garden. So glad you enjoyed the pictures..how lucky you have such a late frost…I bet I will have had some more snow and a few freezes by the time you get your frost…but I can still look at your lovely blooms until then!! Happy GBBD!! Stop back anytime.

    1. Nell Jean so glad you enjoyed the picture. It is almost all i have left in the garden…memories…but I will take the nicer days we are having for a while more 🙂

  19. aloha,

    i love seeing the dramatic changes in plant seasons especially when you are able to capture the moments in photographs…even though the winter approaches you have a great captures of the last of your blooms.

    1. Noel how wonderful to see you…I actually was doing a happy dance when the freeze hit on a weekend so I could capture it…the garden in winter is actually stunning if you know where to look…glad you enjoyed it.

    1. Scott so nice to have you visit. The pond is beautiful in all seasons and I am glad you loved it…the yellow scabiosa is so hardy and tolerant of many different conditions. I love the pastel yellow color. Drop by anytime and Happy GBBD!!

  21. Oh, thanks for that poem! And I love the ice-encrusted rose very much – well, I guess we all admire what we don’t have ourselves…

    Happy bloom day!

    1. Happy Bloom Day to you to and glad you could stop by. I love that poem too …it really describes my November perfectly. I do so want the warmer weather especially in about a month or 2, but then I want the seasons too….you are right…learning to be happy with what I have…see you soon!!

    1. Malinda what a joy to have you visit. So happy you enjoyed the photos. Glad to hear you have escaped the winter weather so far. I have missed visiting you and do apologize. Work has finally calmed down from the crazy spring, summer and early fall. Will be around more to enjoy your blog more regularly…

  23. All the images of frost are mesmerizing…we get so little of it here that I’m drawn in and love seeing all the fine details. Hoping that you continue to get some warm days to enjoy your garden!

    1. Thx Cat. Frost is so cool…glad you enjoyed the images…we have a cool day coming Friday with snow where I work about an hour away. Time to get out the boots. My garden though should stay snow free and warm this weekend…may be the last good weekend for a while…Happy GBBD!!

  24. Thanks for linking up with Foliage Follow-Up, Donna. I’m sure it is sad to see the garden going to sleep for the winter, especially earlier than last year, but you’ve really captured the beauty of this quieter season. The icy rime on all those leaves is lovely.

    1. Pam I was glad I finally had the chance to link in and that you enjoyed your visit in the frosty garden. Looking forward to visiting the other Foliage Follow Up links…

  25. You are so right – the patterns and textures in winter are so different than the ones we see in summer. I think that’s why the bones of the garden, and its pattern, is so important. Great icy photos!

  26. Brrr, you photos gave me my first sense of winter Donna, though it is still ridiculously mild here. Frost, snow and ice provide wonderful new textures and colours to the garden, you capture them really well, but my favourite shot is the one of the scabious, defiantly flowering on.

    1. Thx Janet. That yellow bloom is not to be deterred…Standing tall in the morning sun…glad you enjoyed the frosty blooms…supposed to get snow overnight…brr is right!

  27. Do you have a poetic filter on your camera Donna? Had forgotten how wintery frosts create such magic moments of stillness. Tx for the Coatsworth poem to set off all your GBBD images.

    1. I just love the poem for describing our November here…so glad you enjoyed the frosty images and thx for thinking them poetic…I have an artist friend who told me that I had found my right eye and would describe my pics with artist words…I just look for what strikes me as unusual or beautiful and snap away…maybe it is a poetic filter 🙂

    1. Thx Karen. We are expecting lake effect snow here overnight into tomorrow…since I am working I will not get any images but there is plenty of snow coming so I won’t miss taking them now…

  29. Sometimes I think that flowers, as beautiful as they are, steal the show unfairly. Your frost photos are so lovely, especially the one of the thyme, and your pond with the frozen leaves has completely stolen my heart. Still, I can feel my bones ache just looking at your first photo. Enjoy your week in AZ, and soak up all the vitamin D that you can!

    1. Thx Stacy I plan to get all the sun I can….I am trying to focus more on foliage in design and pictures…I seem to miss it until fall when I have no choice but to look and see the beauty…the pond was amazing just frozen in time for a few hours.

  30. I just loved all the pattern, texture and colour in these photos. The Scabiosa looks brilliant, the frost covered Rose is beautiful and the Aster is so pretty. Great photos.

    1. So glad you enjoyed them and so nice to see you. I have been absent from reading as much as I did but will be back checking out your wonderful blog soon..we have snow today so everything is covered in white.

  31. Hope that the blue Veronica lives only 12 more days and your wish come true. Would be strange to have flowers here i December. It has never happened. Only those made of frost on windows of course.
    /Anette

    1. Anette so nice to have you visit. I will see tomorrow if the Veronica lives since we just had some snow. She is a hardy plant. It would be strange to have flowers in December. Come back to visit anytime!!

  32. Hi Donna, Your photos are really stunning. I especially like the rose and the pond, and your asters are very pretty.
    Blessings, Beth

    1. Rosie it really thrills me to hear that tropical gardeners like my photos. I so enjoy yours because they take me on a wonderful warm, tropical vacation…I hope to be around often to visit you now that things seem to have calmed down. Of course I have said this before and then it gets crazy again…learning to slow down the pace and enjoy more…thx for stopping by!!

    1. Gela it is wonderful to have you visit. So glad you enjoyed the poem and pictures…you have a lovely blog and I will look forward to visiting you there too…

    1. Carol, how are you? I think of you often. So glad you had a chance to visit and that you liked the frosty blooms…have a wonderful weekend!!!

  37. Donna, I don’t usually comment when there are already so many comments, but this post really captured me. The photographs are lovely and so is the writing. It reminded me of an elegy to the garden … I particularly like the photo of the white clematis that is still blooming …

    1. Gloria thank you…you are so right..they look like they were dipped in sugar…so glad you enjoyed your visit and I hope you stop back anytime!!

Comments are closed.