Casualties of the Blizzard (Dale City: how much, buy, live)

[normie]

My beautiful garden took quite a hit from this snow storm. I did what I could. I'm not really supposed to go trudging around in 3 foot deep snow but I was there for a few hours, saving what I could. Sadly, the casualties include the following:



These magnificent photinias were almost 15 years old. They were a particulr pride and joy. I may be able to save the one in the middle but it will be about a third of its size. Heartbreaking.


I'm sure I have another photo of the cherry tree. It was so pretty. But right now all I can find to remember it is this photo of a few branches. Sadly, broken branches are mostly what I have left. The tree essentially split in two places, and one large branch peel a long strip of bark down the whole tree. I'll try to save the tree but I'm pretty sure it's a goner.


The top of this perfect pine tree cracked and fell off. I'm sad about the tree, but grateful it missed the house. I'm nervous about a few other trees that could cause some damage if they fall over tonight.



My rose garden has a whole bunch of rose bushes, some of them very old. I hope a few of them survived but I suspect there's been a lot of damage here. Won't know for weeks, of course. the whole garden is buried right now. The poor little dogwood tree is bent over badly, but I think I saved it.


This rose bush snapped into pieces. But, hopefully I can trim it way back and save it.

I know my losses are small compared to some of the damages everyone is facing. I mean nobody died, and I can buy new plants. But my garden meant a great deal to me. So I wanted to take a moment say R.I.P. to some beautiful plants that I spent years caring for.

[EuroExpat]

Oh no. But hopefully most of it will bounce back. Pretty garden though!! Just plant lots and lots of new flowers, they'll keep your attention away from the trees. I hope those roses made it!

[normie]

Originally Posted by EuroExpat

Oh no. But hopefully most of it will bounce back. Pretty garden though!! Just plant lots and lots of new flowers, they'll keep your attention away from the trees. I hope those roses made it!

Sometime gardens can surprise you. I've seen them bounce back before, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. And planting new trees can be a good thing. I guess I'm done mourning, I just wanted to take a moment to feel a little sad. But hey, it could be a lot worse.

And you're right--this year I'll go crazy putting in marigolds and even if I have to cut the older plants back it will all still be beautiful.

But I'll tell you, I'm ready for winter to be over. Really, really, really ready.

[EuroExpat]

Originally Posted by normie

Sometime gardens can surprise you. I've seen them bounce back before, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. And planting new trees can be a good thing. I guess I'm done mourning, I just wanted to take a moment to feel a little sad. But hey, it could be a lot worse.

And you're right--this year I'll go crazy putting in marigolds and even if I have to cut the older plants back it will all still be beautiful.

But I'll tell you, I'm ready for winter to be over. Really, really, really ready.

My parents and grandparents are all amazing gardeners (even my brother!!). Where they live, they get about double this snow every year. Granted, it doesn't snow all in one day but their gardens have a tendency to bounce right back. The apple and plum trees might lose a small branch every year but that's about it. So let's keep our fingers crossed!

[5stones]

photinias are extremely hardy...when spring comes cut them way back (before they bud) past the "break" line and by summer you will be amazed at how much new growth you will have.
Same for the roses...really prune them back after the last frost, they will do great.

The pine sadly will never be the same, but it probably won't die. We lost the top 4ft off a 30ft in pA once and it was fine...just not a pretty!

All your perinenails will be ok...If your bulbs had started to "peek" out just leave them some may bloom some may not, but the bulb will be good to go next year.

Good luck

[ACWhite]

Beautiful photos, you're a great gardener -- I feel for you. But I agree that many of your plants may surprise you in their comebacks.

[GreenGene]

We've lost two trees so far, and another two aren't looking too good.



On a related note (and certainly a casualty of the blizzard), I understand from my wife - who heard via Facebook - that the roof collapsed on the ice skating rink in Dale City.

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by GreenGene

We've lost two trees so far, and another two aren't looking too good.



On a related note (and certainly a casualty of the blizzard), I understand from my wife - who heard via Facebook - that the roof collapsed on the ice skating rink in Dale City.

I heard that too! It was scrolling along the bottom of the TV on Channel 7 news.

[normie]

Thanks you guys. And yes, when seen in the perspective of collapsed buildings my losses aren't that big.

On a positive note... hey, at least I finally found a way to stop those pesky solicitors from leaving pizza ads on my front door. Nobody's walking up my front steps from quite a while. We ran out of places to dump the snow from the driveway, so the front steps are now buried in about 6 feet of hard packed snow.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by normie

on a positive note... Hey, at least i finally found a way to stop those pesky solicitors from leaving pizza ads on my front door.

lol!