Official website of the Bridge of Flowers

  It's mid-February On the Bridge, and there's been no snow cover, unusual for this area. Too bad, because the plants benefit from snow.  It acts as a blanket, insulating and protecting the plant roots from cold and winter wind. And, in the spring, when snow melts over time, it provides a deep, satisfying drink.

    So, what could possibly be happening in the garden now? Are the plants sleeping? Hibernating? In plant language, they are dormant, a rest state. Nothing is growing above ground, but the roots are still active. It's an important time. Some fruit trees have a "chilling requirement," a certain number of hours of temperatures below 45 degrees is necessary to satisfy the rest requirement. This varies for different types of trees and their cultivars or varieties. After that cold requirement is met, and warmer temperatures come, the trees can break dormancy. When the temperatures rise, the plants start to become active again, and go about their "business as usual" during the growing season. If this need is not met, there could be later bloom time, sparse or no blooms, and perhaps limited foliage, as well. No blooms means no fruit.

    Fruit trees are not the only plants that need a cold period. Some bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, also require chill time. Not enough cold - no spring show. In the south, if you want to have blooming tulips, you will need to refrigerate them for a few months before planting.  After bloom and foliage die back, they will need to be lifted and go through a special chill again in order to bloom the next year.  We planted lots of bulbs this fall, and it's cold out, so there will be a good show in the spring!

    As much as some plants need the cold, other northern hardy plants might struggle with winter conditions. Underground the bulbs and plant roots are protected by soil, and usually a snow blanket. Above ground, broadleaf evergreen shrubs, such as rhododendrons, are out in the elements.  If they live in a windy and unprotected spot, they might suffer through the winter. Dessication, or winter burn, shows in the spring as brown, dried out leaves. It can be pretty windy along the river and its banks. The rhodys here are given some extra protection, burlap tied to tall stakes gently surrounding the shrub, to help break the wind and decrease chances of small branches and leaves drying out.

    The plants on the bridge are patiently waiting for spring. I have much to learn from them!