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My Ohio Winter

18.01.10 | Ilona Erwin | 8 Comments

It has been a snowy and cold winter, the present season broke records for cold temperatures. I like the picturesque snow covered landscape and several mornings I awakened to hoar frosts that transformed the garden into white traceries of laced branches and stems against the sequined, white velvet snow.

The Cinderella winter season has given way to the morning after of mid-January’s thawing, now. The Snowflake Ball is over, and only scattered pumpkin patch masses of drifted, dirty snow remain. A throwcover of fog hides the sad remnants on many evenings and mornings.

Am I sad to see the frigid temperatures and the diamond studded frostings go? In my hermit lifestyle of winter I am little inconvenienced by the surrounding fortress of the cold and ice, and can enjoy the view, while sparing the trouble. Each season has its beauty and I march along with the parade. So, no, I am neither sad nor happy to see the next sequel in the seasonal series of weather conditions. I did take some pictures.


The snow started early and stayed long this year. That was unusual. I hope it was enough to protect my newer plantings. This week, as temperatures warm to the season’s normal, I will need to make the rounds and press in any heaved plants with my heel. In the coldest days of this month my hands quickly were frozen while taking some photos, to the point where they were a bit painful to rewarm. I was surprised at the bitterness of the cold- without strong winds to remind me. Many days were white and still. Only the beauty of the hoarfrosts enticed me outdoors into the garden.

I wrote an article on how the bareness of winter and minimalism of a snowy landscape outlines the bones of the garden. Winter Outlines Garden Bones

Here are some additional photos of this winter.

Above, left, if you look closely, is the discarded Christmas tree. it was too cold to do anything but toss it off the porch. Viburnum ‘Dawn’ in the foreground.

Below is the evidence of animal tracks on their various important winter journeys. Casting its shadow is the flowering quince, ‘Texas Scarlet’.

Picture on the right is the photogenic Willow. She sparkled, dripping in frosted diamonds of hoarfrost.

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About Ilona Erwin

I was a garden blog pioneer, and began writing on this blog in 2003. Before that I had begun a garden website that has been at its own domain since 2006, Ilona's Garden.

I still love writing, gardening, and art after all these years, although travel and grandchildren have become a big part of my life, now.

DISCLOSURE: I may be an affiliate for products that I recommend. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. Thank you, in advance for your support! Privacy Policy

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janet says

    January 19, 2010 at 3:37 am

    You make the wintery snow scenes inviting and wonderful to behold.

  2. johanna_lea says

    January 19, 2010 at 2:13 pm

    – thaw –

    small sparrows

    bathe in melted edges

    of shrinking ice puddle.

  3. Teresa O says

    January 19, 2010 at 5:46 pm

    Ahhh, yes the January thaw is here and along with it the earthy monochromatic tones of the season. Flog me with a wet leaf for saying this, but I’m ready for a new blanket of clean, white snow.

  4. Bren says

    January 21, 2010 at 6:34 pm

    HAPPY TO STOP BY YOUR LOVELY BLOG Ilona! I can’t wait to see you at the Ohio Home&Garden Show! Don’t forget I owe you a cup of coffee!

    (((HUGS))

  5. Rob (ourfrenchgarden) says

    January 22, 2010 at 7:51 pm

    Hi Ilona

    I spent today pruning roses. The temperature reached about 12 C or 54 F, it was sunny and calm.

    You must be hardy souls braving the Ohio winter.

    Do I wish you a continued thaw or a fresh snowy blanket?

  6. Ilona says

    January 23, 2010 at 1:33 am

    Janet- the snow scenes are always pretty and if not too cold, they are fun, too.

    Joanne – your poem is a little “amuse-bouche” for the soul.

    Teresa- my bet is that you will get that wish sooner or later.

    Bren- always glad for your friendship.

    Rob- I sigh with vicarious contentment that you have had such a lovely day getting your roses ready for another beautiful season 🙂 I will get each in turn, neither for long…but eventually the thaw will win…. and THEN! I will have a day like yours, and think of you 🙂

  7. thewritegardener says

    January 25, 2010 at 2:18 am

    Brrrr!! Those pictures gave me a big chill. We’ve had a little warm up, but they say it’s over. Winter is still here.

  8. Swimray says

    February 6, 2010 at 12:59 am

    Snowbound probably for a long time, as I read blogs in remembrance of the summer gardening season. The second ‘historic’ snowstorm this 09-10s season is now raging here in Virginia; the recent garden catalogs seem like comfort tonight.

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Oh, hi there!

I was a garden blog pioneer, and began writing on this blog in 2003. Before that I had begun a garden website that has been at its own domain since 2006, Ilona's Garden.

I still love writing, gardening, and art after all these years, although travel and grandchildren have become a big part of my life, now.

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