Prunus mume 'Tohji-bai' alongside the path to the Pagoda

We drove through blinding snow on the way north yesterday and this morning was no picnic but by midday the sun was out and it had warmed up enough to be a quite pleasant day. The two days under 20F last week weren't enough to stop the Camellias; many of the fall blooming crosses are still flowering and the Camellia japonica selections are beginning to pop here and there. Many of the Prunus mume varieties are in full bloom; Joan told me her's is on the way out!

Two weeks in Florida......just a handful of pictures

Which I didn't download until tonight. Actually I didn't touch a computer from Christmas to January 9th. At first I had withdrawal symptoms but after I relaxed, it was okay.

Many of the plants in the garden are beginning to get some size so it's more fun to work. The weather was generally good with highs between 60 and 80F. Two days it was quite chilly; one night temps fell into the mid 20's taking a toll on tender perennials and annual. We've moved away from those for the most part with a few exceptions. Asclepias, Porteranthus, some shrubby Salvias. They'll come back!