Ice Ice Baby!

After being awoken early this morning as pellets of frozen rain peppered the window I wasn't surprised by what my eyes saw this morning. Yep Mother Nature spritzed us with this winters first icy blast! With little affinity for the long winters up North frosty blasts like this left me quickly disgusted fairly early on .... like by December! But this morning the icy sparkle and shimmer was like seeing an old friend. With a steamy cup of ginger tea in hand to sip lets explore the frozen Fayetteville Celtic Garden. (please refrain from eating your boots Lord Franklin!)

Oh how she sleeps! The rosemary is ice covered which protects it from the cold wind. But given the weight of the ice I shook it off with a rake to prevent the branches breaking. Plus I gave her and the others a good hydrating drink well before the storm hit. Watering the soil helps release moisture into the air that surrounds the root system, theoretically keeping it a little warmer during a cold spell.

Water your plants thoroughly before nightfall. The soil will release moisture into the air around your plants during the night, keeping the air somewhat warmer. - See more at: http://blog.gardenharvestsupply.com/2008/09/16/how-to-cover-plants-for-frost-protection/#sthash.B52UsG9e.dpuf

Water your plants thoroughly before nightfall. The soil will release moisture into the air around your plants during the night, keeping the air somewhat warmer. - See more at: http://blog.gardenharvestsupply.com/2008/09/16/how-to-cover-plants-for-frost-protection/#sthash.B52UsG9e.dpuf

Water your plants thoroughly before nightfall. The soil will release moisture into the air around your plants during the night, keeping the air somewhat warmer. - See more at: http://blog.gardenharvestsupply.com/2008/09/16/how-to-cover-plants-for-frost-protection/#sthash.B52UsG9e.dpuf

Hard to imagine that in forty-five days this honeysuckle will be in her glory, in full bloom, just in time to welcome the hummingbirds back.

Now this little horsetail is well rooted in my water feature and partly shielded from the wind by the cold frame which appears to be sufficient protection and sustenance. Hard to believe its still alive but there it is. (if you lean in you'll hear it singing "Ain't that Tough Enough")

In the next photo you'll notice that some camellias are totally iced over .....

 ..... while others appear to have bloomed recently. This one was well protected by the ice covered overhanging branches.

While there's no sign of the Faux Aloe above ground, I'm told this plant has a long tap root and still has a fighting chance of survival. Let's keep our fingers crossed! Meanwhile the ice has left a dazzling finger-like effect on the santolina.

Yes, they were so stunning both divas demanded posting

Well that wraps us this weeks frozen edition of Fayetteville Celtic Garden. Now excuse me while I go and order me some 'mater seeds! Stay warm and beware - we're in for possible single-digit overnight temps tomorrow night (Wednesday) so use the utmost precautions and take care of those furry outdoor friends!

Until next time, may happiness be a ray of sunshine in your body, mind and soul.