Snow happens in San Antonio but it's pretty rare. Even more rare is snow in December with just six November-December snowfalls recorded since 1895. We've always thought wrapping snowflake lights on the big Agave ovatifolia was a bit of a joke. Last night they were in their element.
The snow fell after dark making photography a challenge. At least I'd already started putting out the lights and adding bright plastic Christmas balls to their tips. Agave neomexicana in green and yellow lights.
We had fun walking around in the falling snow with holiday lights to help highlight the scene.
What about my plants? Cold was predicted so I had already brought in the begonias and frost tender succulents and had time to cover most of the borderline hardy garden plants.
The fan palm next door is quite hardy.
Cycads are fairly hardy and it only went down to 34F last night.
Yuccas and Mexican Feather Grass are all hardy in near-freezing conditions.
Three well-established Golden Barrel cacti which can survive down to 15F if they are well-drained.
Snow slides right off flexible Yucca rostrata leaves. Yucca rostrata is native to higher elevations in West Texas and quite cold hardy as well.
Native grasses can take whatever our weather throws at them.
Back out with the camera early this morning
Especially pretty view from the garage corner.
One frosty Agave ovatifolia in the back garden might show a few marks from the cold, wet weather.
Naturally silver Yucca rigida looks great in snow.
Buffalo grass with a nice coating still in place.
It 's been warmer than usual so the garden was still growing and blooming until this happened.
Rosemary in the holiday spirit.
Birds will show up as soon as this thaws.
Golden barrels shedding their snow covering.
That hardy fan palm next door.
Agave cornelius hardy to 20F except I recently planted two more which might not have established yet.
Hedgehog cactus might get a bit of scarring from the cold but it will come back.
Brave Maya still blooming this morning.
By mid-afternoon ice was pelting down from trees above and...
...there was still a bit of snow on the northside roof.
Usually these ornaments are the only frost on the agave during December.
We thought we'd left this and our snow shovel behind when we retired to Texas.
No snow shovel required. It's all gone now. Snow is fun once in a while but we don't miss shoveling and scraping just to get to work on a winter's morning.
The snow certainly adds a magical air to your holiday light displays. I'm glad you were prepared for the cold and thus could enjoy your dusting of snow.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, Shirley. Your two inches of snow look great in your garden.
ReplyDeleteYou captured some beautiful shots, snow can be pretty...in other people's gardens.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful experience you had with that unexpected snow! It looks so magical on your succulent plants. I can't believe the Brugmansia didn't wilt and that it continued blooming! Everything looks so awesome in the snow.
ReplyDeleteI would bet your brug melted the next day? Mine all have. I thought they might pull through without having to be cut back but nope, Friday night sealed that.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a fun thing to have! Now---the cleanup.
The brug seems to be doing fine so far. It might still drop leaves. The cleanup will be a mess since nearly everything will have to be cut back.
ReplyDeletefun to remember, but once would be plenty for me ;~)
ReplyDeleteThat's my idea of a snowfall!
ReplyDelete