Hardy in the Snow

Fatsia japonica and Dicksonia antarctica in Tuesday's snow

The sight of pure white snow lying in the garden early in the morning always minimises the shock of the cold. There was only a gentle fall this week and it lay lightly on the ground and on the new spring growth. All the same I worried, as always, about all the  brave new flowers and was, as always,  astonished at how the most delicate-looking plants can  tough out the cold.                                                         

Some of them produce their own anti-freeze protein in their cellular structure which prevents the inside of the plant from suffering damage, even if externally it is covered in frost and icicles.  Snowdrops, for example ('perce-neige' or snow piercer) protect themselves that way. They also have specially toughened cells at their growing points that help them to push through icy ground when they are ready to flower. 

The hellebores which are flowering well just now don't seem to have been affected at all. I think they like it. 

Tough little cyclamen 

                                                      

                      Sturdy primroses                                                                Snowdrops with anti-freeze                                                                 

The primroses, now starting to be out in earnest, were equally untouched except for the odd brownish flower. The little early daffodils are unaffected and the crocuses didn't seem to notice it either. The miniature cerise spring cyclamen are peeping out as brightly as ever. One can only wonder.