In the past, I discussed how cold hardy collard greens are. Well, the stalk of this one came through the winter, in a fully green state. The only problem is that collards are only biennials, and NOT perennials, meaning they only max out, in their 2nd season, and die:


https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOsYwI8swrIstBnLpUeTNfzOZSLyICMkGntJwBB


Recently, the earliest Dutch bulbs, the snowdrops/Galanthus, commenced blooming. Now, a few others are chiming in...

Snow Crocus, which precede the Giant Crocus, and Winter Aconite, has begun. Snowdrops, snow crocus, and winter aconite are bone-hardy, and will continue to bloom when tips temp below 20, and even if snow falls, with no damage:


https://photos.app.goo.gl/GrKYLDG4PEC29ZMi6



This flower was named after the Greek god, Adonis. Although its flower resembles that of winter aconite, Adonis flowers are twice as large. Notice that some foliage from groundcover Duckfoot English Ivy, is also in the pic. For those who like cold-hardy evergreens, this one is tops. Not a speck of damage on its leaves!


https://photos.app.goo.gl/XD9qUihvAmZgpDH36



This cactus has decided to begin blooming now, indoors. I'm surprised, because it was attacked by either squirrel or raccoon, outside, last year. Believe it or not, raccoons and squirrels (possibly in search of water), will bite into spiky cacti. I have even heard of birds burrowing holes into Saguaro cacti, out West, to build their nests. So although spines were designed to help cacti and succulents, in the wild, the spines don't always protect these plants. The cactus below is a Rebutia muscula..


https://photos.app.goo.gl/NNo3EF1GiJw2Mtx66



My Deodara Cedar got burned by the -10F low. I knew this tree was rated z7 hardy, when I planted it, several years ago, and knew it could be damaged by temps, below zero. It has endured -5F, a few years back (a z6 minimum), the coldest it had seen. Although I expected temps to go below zero, I wasn't expecting almost below zone temps, or I would have tarped it. Unlike many South Florida fruit tree growers, claiming they "did all they could do", to prevent damage to their fruit trees, I don't make that same claim. However, I do agree that because I see alot of green needles, among the brown ones, that this tree will recover. Since evergreen plants continue to suck in water, during winter, this one became dehydrated from trying to accomplish the impossible task of sucking water from frozen soil..just not gonna happen:


https://photos.app.goo.gl/VpvzphYjb7Kz7T2p6


Here is a pot-planted female Longstalk Holly. Notice how green it is, after -10F. For those looking for a BLE, hardy enough to survive a Michigan winter, this one is a good choice. It had a few berries on it, but "something" made off with them:


https://photos.app.goo.gl/v3jHASrm8z9CoPcE7


This z6 rated EVERGREEN Holly Fern, made it through -10F quite well..


https://photos.app.goo.gl/iHUFv6ovEUn2A7XV8