Topic: surprising perennials
This past winter was a severe one, with sub-zero temperatures in November and no snow cover. The cold weather continued through February, with enough snow to make shoveling a nuisance. Although the lack of a thaw was great for skiers, some of us dug deep in our closets to pull out heavy coats we hadn't used in years. It was cold like the Anchorage of the 1970's and 1980's that I remember. Anyway, I predicted severe loss of the tender perennials. I was wrong. Crocus are blooming, some I haven't seen in years, tulips are blooming like never before, and I was amazed to see one of my oregano plants overwinter in my raised bed. I raked over it and had some of it lifted on my shovel, about to turn it over and cultivate, when I smelled that musky oregano smell. It was a green scream begging for mercy. Then I saw the funny rounded green mounds forming an equilateral triangle, that I think are probably chicory. Too bad I didn't like the flavor. Perhaps I can learn to love it.
I believe my Hansa rose is a goner, though. Oh well.
(later) I checked out my seeds - it was Pinetree Garden perennial oregano seed I purchased and planted in 1996 that survived the winter. The chicory - haven't found the packet yet.
