“It was 10 degrees and getting colder down by Boulder Dam today.” (Gordon Lightfoot)
When the first frosts arrive in the fall garden, the least hardy plants die back, but a few hold on until a hard killing frost. A few of the most hardy hold on a bit longer if they are located in sheltered spot. In our back yard, the cold air drops down several levels to the lowest point near the road and less exposed spots higher up flower for a while longer.
In the middle of November we had some nights that dropped to -5 C. Nasturtiums, zinnias, marigolds, and a few other annuals were gone for another year, but a few others still continued to flower. Snapdragons seemed mostly unfazed by the cold. I walked out in the garden each day and observed some of the survivors. A few images are shared here – African daisy (Dimorphotheca sinuata), gaillardia (Gaillardia grandiflora), culinary sage (Salvia officinalis), snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), bugleweed (Ajuga repens), and Japanese sedge (Carex oshimensis Nakai). Click an image for a lightbox view and a caption.
Which flowers and featured plants will still be in showing on December 1st? Watch for upcoming posts.
