Sloshing Around

By Skeeter

I ventured out into my Georgia Gardens to see what I could find after so much rain and freezing night temps. I do believe it is time I invest in a pair of rubber boots! Click the video to see if you agree...An ice cube growing in the Garden? This cube of ice fell out of my rain gauge when dumping it in preparation for the next rain fall. With all the rain, we have moss growing everywhere! Here you see it amongst the red lava rock. So much rain that the front porch is starting to turn green! Yikes, where is the bleach spray bottle? I did not venture out into a soggy yard to find negative things so lets dwell on the positive I found on this sunny day...

Liriope is still hanging around while staying warm under a bed of Willow Oak Leaves.The Variegated Vinca also seems happy in this cold stuff with a blanket of leaves to keep her warm.The ivy has turned a pretty color of red and is trucking along the ground and all over the stump we planted it inside. Do you see what I see? Grrrrr... The deer must be happy also as they seem to have found the ivy and had a snack. Bad deer but I know you must be cold so that's okay, take a nibble but please leave me some, okay... Notice how the Ivy is greener on the stump then the Reddish color trailing onto the ground. All from the same plant. Hummmmm... Confederate Jasmine is looking healthy while its feet are saturated with water. Resurrection Fern is really happy about all the recent rain. Royal Princess Nandina is looking good with wet feet as well.Armada Rose Sea Thrift is hanging tough but I am concerned with her wet feet. Ice Plant is looking okay by the Sea Thrift but I am worried as she is so soaked in water also. Ligustrum with its glossy leaves enjoying her wet feet.

Walking to the center of the side yard, I find the Butterfly Bushes doing well. I am most surprised they have not lost all their leaves due to the extreme cold temps that are not normal. As you can see here, I spot new growth. Moving to the Semi-Formal Garden, I find Lavender is doing well.I was happy to see the Lambs Ear is doing fine. This is her first winter with us. Loquat is well established with us after 5 years. Leann Cleyera is showing some spots but doing well otherwise. At the back of this Garden on the chain link fence, I see Jessamine. Back into the Semi-formal, I see the Phlox planted last spring has survived. Verbena is so tough in my garden.Leaving the Semi-formal Garden and now to the Driveway Island planter, I see baby snowballs trying to hang onto the Snowball Bush with these cold nights. The Azaleas are a bit spotted but I think they will be fine by spring. The Nandina in this planter are bright red as they love the sun shining on them throughout the year.

Moving to the front yard, I find a healthy Cedar Tree.

The Holly trees look good as well with all this rain.This Azalea is recovering after some blight death to her a few years ago. She seems to have liked the pruning she received. Spirea is doing well in the front yard.

The shaded side of the front finds the Ebbing's Silver Berry's doing wonderful but no berry's again this year. Maybe they are too young just yet. I will prune them again this spring per Tina's suggestion for a bushier growth. These 4 bushes were planted to hide the ugly yard next door.

I know I complain about this long hedge during the summer months when clipping but she does make me happy with her full green color during the dreary winter months. She how she shines for me today? The Nandina in the front planter is not so red as it faces north and is shaded from the house thus no sun for that pretty red foliage as the other Nandina. The many pine trees on our land are always full of green to enjoy. Just look how it pops against that blue sky background! Such a beautiful day that I think I will sit in the swing with my buddy OJ who has been helping me snap pictures this morning. Such a good Garden Buddy to have living next door. No OJ, we are not going to look at those ugly weeds today. We are here to enjoy the growth in the garden. So stop looking at them okay?Here are some surprises I found while on our stroll today. Wave Petunia in the Semi-Formal Garden! I cannot believe it has survived the cold winter and freezing temps. If she hangs on, this will be her third year with us. Yes, A petunia that returns each year!Lillie's are still with me. I was so hoping they would make it through the winter as this is their first winter with us. Spike Plant is still with us! The Geranium does not look like it survived but I expected that. Spike will get a new friend this spring. Spider Plant in the ground never died on me this winter! I reckon it likes those leaves as does the weed beside it. Oh, that's right, we are not going to look at weeds today. Green Wandering Jew Plant is happily growing along the brick wall of our front porch. This fell and took root from some hanging plants from several years ago. This spring, I will pot it for the front porch for a free plant!

And lookie here what I found in the side yard Chimney Planter! Yippee, Tulips, Hyacinths, and Daffodils are coming back for me! I am so happy as I never have luck with those in my Georgia soil.

Sitting in the swing and feeling the warmth of the sun hitting my cool body, I am reminded that the sun is getting closer. The Birds were singing thier mating songs. Soon spring will be here. I look up to see the most beautiful blue sky ever with not one cloud in sight! Now that is a Winter Blue, I will take any day. I am glad I decided to go SLOSHING AROUND, In the Garden...

Update: The Saint and I are now proud owners of Rubbers Boots!

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden