Scenes From First Snow 2008

We received our first measurable snowfall yesterday, but barely. The last several forecasts have been for 1-3 inches of snow and we just haven't gotten it. Even this one, which was supposed to be on the deep end of that, didn't come through that way. But when it was over, at least there was still snow on the ground that lasted all day long without melting.

Romie and I took off for a walk during late afternoon, making sure to bundle up, because it was a chilly 22°, with a slight breeze. The sun was out when we began, but as we made the return trip up the road to home and the sun began to set, the clouds started to roll in. No words were needed to say how cold it was. The sound of the squeaky snow as we walked along spoke for us.

Most of the images here were taken in our gardens or yard, with a couple from our walk. It's not hard to find beauty when Nature blankets her world with snow, even when it's just a little bit.

Usually the first to disturb freshly fallen snow are the kitties.

In summer, the cotoneaster is thick and green with leaves and the giant hostas behind them provide privacy for the cats as they nap in their shade. Not today. The hostas are sleeping and what's left of the contoneaster leaves are a deep and beautiful burgundy. A few red berries remain.

Even redder are the apples that are left hanging on the tree.

Mom's favorite astilbe ('Sprite') is beautiful in summer and winter.

I was surprised to see these small drifts created by the wind swirling around the boxwood next to the driveway.

The narrow bed in front of the house provides winter interest with Pennisetum alopecuriodes 'Hameln' and Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' towering over Carex hachijoensis 'Evergold', with variegated Euonymus behind them, which in winter has taken on a pink hue.

A close-up of the 'Evergold' Carex shows it to be still pretty lively in its cream and green. I've seen places that says it's hardy only to zone 6, while others say 5. We're in 5, so I mulched them well and I'm hoping for the best. This is their first winter here.

We have four beautiful Washington Hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) trees that are loaded with bright red berries every winter. These are a favorite of the cardinals and other birds. By spring, the tree branches will be totally devoid of the berries.

Oops. It looks like I missed cleaning some leaves out of this area of the Japanese Garden and now they're covered with snow. I'd better get those out of there before heavier snow comes so they don't mat down. The plumes of the Miscanthus sinensus 'Strictus' look great all winter long, as do the wide dark green spikes of the Yucca. I'm hoping the Gaura that's planted in front of the stone pillars lives through the winter this time.

The Yucca casts a late afternoon shadow over the staggered stone walkway through the Japanese Garden.

Even cement and stones create an interesting texture when snow has filled in the spaces.

Max's Garden is down to its bare bones and blanketed with the new snow.




Sedum 'Autumn Fire' holds fragile snowflakes in its dried seedheads.

This little vignette of St. Francis offering bird seed (it's under the snow in his bowl) looks quite different now compared to a couple of months ago.

This is the view out our front door, across the road. I like how the snow accentuates the neat rows of winter wheat.

This is the same miniature rose bush that was pictured previously here (second photo), and I like the freeze-dried version of its blooms, too!

Grandma's big clusters of Christmas ornaments are back up on the pergola, as they have been every year since she gave them to us. I like how they look when they're heavy with snow. They are beautiful at night, too.



Now I feel like I've properly participated in Nancy's Garden Bloggers First Snow Project. Please click on the graphic below to visit her list of other participants. There are some gorgeous snow pictures that other bloggers have shared from their parts of the world. Have a look!