The contrast of the black burn, the white snow, and the new grass is striking. The Denver Botanic Gardens is much quieter on snowy spring days and the experiences are just as rewarding as those on a warm spring day.
After a recent snowstorm in Denver I took this picture in the side yard. The way the snow melts right next to the house due to a combination of heat leakage and catching the winter sun is important for gardening. It does not actuall make it warm enough for the rosemary plants to survive without protection on the coldest nights, but I only have to cover them when it is colder than -10°C (14°F).
A week later and the snow was completely melted in this area while it was still lingering in the shade of the house to the south. For this reason it is likely to be a good area for plants adapted to being dry and intolerant of winter snowcover. So far I have had bad luck establishing iceplants, but the rosemary, lavender, hesperaloes(red yucca), and saffron crocus seem to being doing well. More iceplant varieties are
The wires are my very simple system for protecting the rosemary plants. They are former political ad signs pulled up after election season, so very cheap. It has not often been needed this year, I have covered them twice for less than two weeks under the plastic.
In a prior year I left one plant uncovered as an experiment and it died during the winter despite it being allegedly hardy in Denver. It is possible that I live in a pocket that is colder than average for the area since I live relatively near the river and cold air has a tendency to pool. Regardless this system is working and could be used by other gardeners.
A while back I was trying to find my first clump of saffron crocus (Crocus sativus). I thought they had died or something, but no, they were just in a spot I did not expect. This illustrates the value of permanent non-biodegradable plant markers. I am now killing off the parsley plant that has overwhelmed them by pulling off all its leaves, repeatedly.
So very little saffron this year that I put what I harvested in vodka to make a very tiny bit of cordial.
Crocus speciosus ‘Conqueror’ – Conqueror variety of Bieberstein’s crocus
I do not yet have any true Colchicum autumnale (autumn crocus), which would be more appropriate for evil witches. Despite their relative niceness I like how cheerily odd these fall blooming beauties are. So far they seem happy next to my car’s shelter.
There were lots and lots of painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) this fall in Colorado. I took many opportunities to photograph them. This one was on the yarrow in a state park. The slight iridescence on the body hairs was particularly pretty.
Kihaku-Gato's Garden Blog (tumblr import) 