Re: Warm Greetings from Cold Vermont
- Subject: Re: [SG] Warm Greetings from Cold Vermont
- From: Ann James a*@EARTHLINK.NET
- Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2003 18:37:22 -0600
George,
When I first saw your name I thought oh, no, I'm targeted for another
African scam. But not from Vermont. I think people who live in climates
where it gets cold and stays cold are way better off than those of us who
remain ever hopeful.
I am now in Zone 8, down a tad from Zone 9, but really not that much
different. And I have a panoply of sheets over plants in pots and have
watered deeply the plants in the ground. You never know where you are from
one week to the next in what passes for winter in this part of Texas.
Our last home in Houston we were foolish enough to plant banana plants.
Well, the faintest whisper of frost turns them into flapping brown
scarecrows, and if you think grown banana plants are easy to cut down, think
again. Here in Conroe, deep in the Piney Woods, we are toying with shade
plants we don't know diddley about. Hostas did well, though I never thought
I would see them again.
The hellebores I bought from Wayside Gardens, well, two of the three big
ones have blooms and the little fellows in the back yard are sort of just
there. And now they have yet another incredibly wonderful as advertised
hellebore selection out. Never mind. You don't catch me twice.
It is supposed to get down to 20 tonight. That is bad for this part of the
world. Things that persist in flourishing during the 70 degree days that
intersperse what passes for winter suffer greatly. I have blooms all over
the Meyer Lemon, and one lemon, and kumquats all over that thing. Not to
mention hibiscus. The pansies are blooming furiously in the front shade
bed, and I pray for them tonight. The cyclamen have not yet bloomed, but
they have come up. I figure the hellebores can take care of themselves. We
have not yet bonded.
At least it doesn't routinely snow here. My feet get cold just thinking
about snow.
Ann James
Conroe, Texas
