It was inevitable that this day would come, last night we had our first frost of the winter. This is a double-edged sword. Although I will be fretting about the wellbeing of our tender plants, such as this Ageratina ligustrina, I also know that a healthy garden benefits from a good freeze. This how it should be and many plants have evolved some kind of climate imposed dormancy or hibernation. Basically they need to get their heads down and have a good kip, they cannot be expected to burn the candle at both ends without repercussions. The cold weather also helps to kill off some of our pests and diseases ensuring we start the new season on an even keel. We have all enjoyed the prolonged flowering of many plants in the garden, but at what cost? Molluscs and aphids will also have been enjoying this balmy winter. I certainly wouldn’t wish the extremes of the last couple winters but I have missed those wonderful crisp frosty days; winter Disney style.
This picture of the flowers of the Privet Leaved Eupatorium was taken last week and I would suspect that it will be last until the autumn when it generally blooms. It is native to southern North America, Mexico and Costa Rica and a member of the Asteraceae family. The flowers however are not typical of many members of the daisy family, lacking the ray flowers, but instead they are held in inflorescences of tiny stars. A perfect plant for insects, loved by both butterflies and bees and when unchecked can reach a statuesque 5.0m. If our mild winters continue this shrub may become an enormous nectar heaven for our garden wildlife and of course Betsy’s bees.
ontheedgegardening 