Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Wednesday Vignette, back then...before all this winter madness...

Way back when — before multiple ice storms, temperatures in the teens and record snowfall — I walked the garden and snapped a few photos. That was on December 6th, 2016, and I was particularly enamored with this vignette, Begonia 'Little Brother Montgomery' is the star — Hakonechloa and the foliage of Lobelia laxiflora play supporting roles. It's the Begonia that I'm concerned with. Many sellers list it as hardy to Zone 10, but I know a few people who say it's hardy to Zone 8. I guess I'm conducting a little hardiness test of my own. It's currently MIA, died back to the ground. Will it return? We shall see...

Weather Diary, February 7: Hi 39, Low 32/ Precip .25
(3.45" of rain in first 7 days of February - 3rd wettest start to the month on record)

Wednesday Vignettes are hosted by Anna at Flutter & Hum. All material © 2009-2017 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

30 comments:

  1. I'm in zone 9, and my Begonia 'Little Brother Montgomery' has been outside all water. Granted, temps "only" dropped to about 27, but it's still alive and kicking. It hasn't even lost its leaves. There's hope!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is hard to believe that photo was taken in December! I hope the begonia survivies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was a little surprised when I saw the date. Things were so mild, until all of a sudden they weren't.

      Delete
  3. Fingers crossed for its return! I had some begonias in pots that were supposed to be hardy, but I played it safe and brought them under cover. Be sure to let us know if it shows up again.

    ReplyDelete
  4. A magnificent begonia specimen. It looks especially good with more modest plants as backdrop. I'd have to patiently wait for an update.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was in a spot where the sun back-lit its leaves in the afternoon, so pretty!

      Delete
  5. Nothing worse than a winter where you are waiting for spring as a way to count the damage. Ugh! I do know the Hakonechloa will come through all of this with flying colors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh ya, that Hakonechloa is tough! Hmm, guess I'd better think about cutting it back soon though.

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. It was a score from Evan at a plant swap. I love it!

      Delete
  7. Well, I hope yours returns, but I didn't take any chances with the one Evan gave me at the Fall Plant Exchange. Mine has been keeping itself warm in the greenhouse. That is a nice foliage vignette.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's so pretty - or I guess I should say handsome. I hope it comes back when warm temperatures return. I love the begonias with fancy foliage but haven't tried growing any since the drought became a problem. After all the rain here, maybe it's time to invest in one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do it! I remember seeing several beauties during the 2013 GB Fling in SF.

      Delete
  9. That is a lovely vignette. I hope it comes back in spring. I've never been brave enough to plant mine out. I have an extra next to the parent in the greenhouse. I'll hang on to it for you until you've determined whether yours survived or not. It might take a while to wake up in spring.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a stunning combination--for color, shape, structure, and patterns! I hope the Begonia will come back for you! You've had a tough winter; I hope you'll have a fabulous, warm spring!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks PP, me too! Shockingly it's supposed to be 58 today, our warmest day since November. Now if it just would stop raining I'd get out there and get some work done.

      Delete
  11. I hope this isn't the winter that makes you give up your zone denial. That's a beauty of a begonia that I'm thinking you'll make an effort to try again if it didn't make it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think I'll ever give up my Zonal Denial! The winters that take it easy on us are just too tempting.

      Delete
  12. Glad you captured that dynamite combo with your camera...just in case.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That begonia has amazing foliage. Here's to hope!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We all need hope. It might just get us through the next 4 years.

      Delete
  14. Sure hope that gorgeous begonia survives for you. The hardy ones are usually very late to emerge in my garden, like the end of june or mid July.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to know. I won't disturb that area.

      Delete
  15. Such a beautiful leaf. I hope it returns for more pretty pictures. I think zones are changing as we speak. Today we were zone 10 tomorrow back to zone 8 but really I think I am in zone 7.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I get people telling me all the time "hey with Global Warming you should be a zone 9 soon"...no. That's not the way it works, and it's Climate Change! Silly people...

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. Comment moderation is on (because you know: spam), I will approve and post your comment as soon as possible!