Sunshine and Flowers

Well, the sun rose over North Carolina yesterday morning despite the UNC loss in the NCAA Final.  What a game it was and it was a shame that one team had to lose.  And that the one team was UNC.  Basketball just doesn't get much better than that game.

And the sun is still shining brightly here.  But we are expecting a hard freeze which has more than a few people worried about their plants and trees.  No real threat to the fruit trees, thank goodness.  But some ornamental shrubs and bushes are at risk.  It won't be a killing freeze, but will be enough to darken and kill some new growth.

One of our camellias is in full bloom again.  Such lovely large blossoms.

 Unfortunately, all these lovely blossoms and buds will turn brown and fall to the ground with the expected freeze.  So I will put several branches in water to open and bloom inside.

I've mentioned before that we have planted only those plants that are appropriate for our garden zone.  But I made an exception for camellias.  We planted camellias because I really love them.  But we are at the edge of their growing zone so we know full well the blossoms will often succumb to a sudden cold snap.

I could cover the camellia with a couple of sheets.  But I do not lament the loss of the flowers.  After all, I knew all along that life here for camellias is risky.  But like many other things in life, camellias bring more than their beauty when in full flower mode.  The shrub itself is lovely.  And the promise of flowers is a bonus.

Happy Wednesday, everyone.  The 97th day of 2016, a year destined to feel longer than any other in recent memory.  Thank goodness for books, music, hobbies, and anything else that provides an option to the constant political rhetoric and talking heads on television.