Please get back to me immediately with answers – the mysterious nature of some of my favorite plant friends has left me perplexed.
Why, for example, are all of the wine grapes in California’s Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino county dormant today – still – March 8th?
At the same time, why are the clematis vines leafing out in zone 8, while the black oak trees (Quercus kelloggii) same zone, seem to be in a contented, deep state of REM sleep?
Why are the quaking aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) and paper bark birches (Betula papyrifera) still naked and sleeping in Berkeley, zone 9, when so much waking life springs around them.
On the other hand, some of my buddies in zone 10, seem to be insomniacs. I don’t think the roses slept but for two weeks– if that. But the gingkos (Ginkgo biloba) and Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) seem to be “sleeping in.”
Quaking aspen grove (Populus tremuloides)
The contrast of plants in a still dormant slumber – juxtaposed with those leafing out again, seems to me more poignant than usual, with this very mild winter with many warm days up into the 70’s. It feels like April or May out there; and some of the plants seem confused, while others seem to be sleeping away and oblivious.
What do you think? 🙂
Those quaking aspens (photo above left). Will they be waking up in a month? Will they be leafed out for tax day? Love to know what you think?
Happy Gardening!
