http://www.DELFI.lv
19. janvāris 2007 16:16

Šī gada ziema nebeidz pārsteigt!

Jūrmalā, parkā pie Mellužu estrādes pilnos ziedos uzziedējis rododendrs.

Bilde:

http://notikumi.delfi.lv/news/picture/article.php?id=16642011

http://latviansonline.com/forums/user_files/5.jpg

Beautiful, but so early.  I can’t but wonder if this will hurt the plants if there’s another cold snap, which there likely would be?

I hear the cherry blossoms have already bloomed in DC as well...only 4 months earlier than normal.

It is a pity these blooms surely doomed by a sudden frost, cold snap.  And yes, here too, in this month of January, I’ve seen buds on trees--cherries, quince, ready to burst into bloom. 

I understand Rodis are much prized and difficult to grow in Latvia.  Who knows how this poor shrub will fare.  Here in the NE they seem to positively thrive in the acidic soil.  Yet, even so, some have not survived a hard frost, particularly when it’s dry and there’s no snow cover.  A mulch of pine needles, leaves around the base help protect the shrub, especially from the freezing, thawing cycles which can be very damaging.

Irena