Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Blackberry Winter

We've been having a cold spell the past several days.
Old-timers in the South know this as Blackberry Winter, or Dogwood Winter, which mainly describes a brief period of cold weather that coincides with the time the blackberries are in bloom, or the dogwoods are blooming, (typically in early to mid May).

Oliver likes to follow us around the garden, and play his favorite game of hide and seek.


Despite the cooler and much wetter weather, the flowers are flourishing.

Foxgloves

Climbing Purple Clematis and New Dawn Rose

Camelot Rose

Antique Iris

15 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Blackberry Winter is correct, Jo.... I've been FREEZING here since getting home from a warm and gorgeous beach.... I had to dig back out the sweats again... Thought I was finished with them for the season.. Duh---what's up with that????? ha ha

Beautiful flowers.
Hugs,
Betsy

L. D. said...

I love your cat. Your flowers are doing great. I lost my antique iris like that but I know that the cemetery where my parents are buried have an over abundance of them. They mow them back to keep them under control. Nice photos.

donna baker said...

Jo, I loved your post and pics. I did not know that definition of blackberry winter. I just thought it was overcast gray skies with cold that lingered too late in winter. The is a beautiful piece of music by Keith Jarrett titled Blackberry Winter.

DJan said...

I think the flowers are doing so well BECAUSE of all the rain! I just love that clematis, it's beautiful. Thanks for the great pictures, I'm still smiling.

rjerdee said...

So that's what this cold weather is all about! Nice to be able to put a name on it! We're freezing and the flowers are shivering in Iowa. The furnace is back on and we're wearing hoodies...

MadSnapper said...

i have never seen the Climbing Purple Clematis, it is goregous. and the kitty made me smile. I love what I call MORRIS cats...beauiful

Mage said...

How surprised I was to discover dogwood. I arrived in the east from the desert, and there were trees in bloom. I fell in love immediately.

kym said...

Your flowers are beautiful! What a lovely name for a rose Camelot Rose and your iris' are lovely.

Tabor said...

Maggie sent me and I am glad I stopped by as you have the makings of a lovely English garden. I envy your style and skill!

Barbara Anne said...

It's Blackberry Winter in VA, too, and I'm wishing I'd put on sweats as the house is chilly. Guess who forgot to close a couple of windows last night!

Your flowers are lovely as is Oliver!

Hugs!

Richard Lawry said...

Your flowers are beautiful, especially the foxglove.

An Arkies Musings

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Jo, your flowers look wonderful! I'm glad you're getting some sunshine and things have dried up a bit for you. Enjoy the afternoon and your beautiful garden....Maura

matron said...

Your flowers are beautiful,despite the cold weather.We are having sunny days,but a bitterly cold wind for this time of year.
Love the photo of Oliver,by the way.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

So interesting!! I've never heard of "Blackberry Winter, or Dogwood Winter," and being originally from Kentucky I call myself a southern girl!! ;-))) Really lovely flowers!!!

Deb said...

Oliver has the right idea. What a beautiful garden.