The Big Freeze

I'm the same way about parrots. I would never buy another baby parrot (not that I have room for any more!). They are stashed in basements and garages all over the country, not even given the chance of being adopted. :-(

Dad and Barbara used to rescue exotic birds. Such a shame that people want the pet of the moment without a thought for their needs. Can't believe that some people would let their birds fly free while their ceiling fans were on. Some people shouldn't have pets. Big hugs to those who rescue them and give them loving homes.
Hey, we've hijacked this thread.
Was wondering how everyone's gardens are holding up? Nice clear skies. Have any of you done any winter sowing?
WIB,
SW

Some of mine is mush. But I am glad to hear you all will be warming up because there is a great possibility we will too.

Sunny and clear, doesn't mean warm. It still gets plenty cold at night, and hasn't been out of the 60's all week. You know how it is in our winter. Clouds keep in the warmth. Hoping for warmth! : )
I was so sad about some of my plants going mushy, but now I know that some will come back from their roots, it makes me feel better. Especially, about Dad's Pride of Barbados. He really loved that bush. The bigger, well established ones I see in Sun City don't look as bad as my poor baby. Surprise for me was that the sea lavender has survived with it's cover just fine. Happy about that! : )
WIB,
SW

I have Pride of Barbados on my wish list, it always reminds me of your Dad.

I leave my sea lavender uncovered and it does fine. It is usually in the high 20's at my place.

Calif_Sue, I hope to have some to share from either my plant next fall or from contributions of others.
Expect Dmail.
WIB,
SW

So much for the big freeze! I think Mother nature is messing with us! It's 86 at my house! Summer in Jan. just isn't right!
carol

Carol,
Strange weather alright. Enjoy it while it lasts! Leaves didn't even fall off my trees until late December/early January when it got so cold. Most everything outside has some frost damage, from the big freeze. Worse yet it could still freeze again until March (usually, all bets are off for this year!).
WIB,
SW

That's the problem! I waited to do my winter prunning till last week. some things are already starting to bud out! I can't use any dormant spray till this wind stops. Besides that, I haven't collected enough rain water. We certainly need alot more rain this year. The poor plants are so confused...they don't know whether to bloom, to go dormant, or to die! Last year was weird with the heat waves we had in March and April, but Jan? Those folks back east think they envy us...
Carol

Same thing here. I was going to prune and spray after company left, now it's too warm (I am not going out at 5 am like some people I know).

Some people are up that early, on purpose!? : O
I'm having the same problem with my lilac bushes starting to bud out. I know that all those buds are going to freeze! : (
At least it's warm out, and we aren't looking at floods or blizzards!
WIB,
SW

You have lilacs that bloom where you are???? Syringia lilacs????

There are a few cultivars that need less winter chill than others and can be grown in CA. Unfortunately I don't remember which ones they are, but hopefully someone else will!

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have a blooming lilac. I've bought a couple, but they've never bloomed and I ended up pulling them out.

One of my favorite memories from my childhood in Denver was sitting in the swing-glider that backed up to Grandma's lilac, drinking tea and smelling that incredible fragrance. Of course that could only be on the days it was warm enough to sit outside while they were still blooming!

The Descanso hybrids..Lavender Lady is one, I believe. I had one of the white ones which never did well here, but my friend had the same one and it was really nice. This last year my neighbor had a beautiful white in full flower and it was the first year it's bloomed since she's been there...about 8-9 years, but it was splendid! Planted by the previous owners. If I could find a spot to squeeze some in, I'd try them again. After I find a spot to squeeze in hydrangeas...and more liquidambers...and a couple of Chinese Tallow trees.....

Here's an article from Sunset that lists the Descanso ones as well as a few other low chill varieties. http://www.sunset.com/garden/flowers-plants/mild-climate-lilacs-00400000017011/ Some nurseries aren't very good about paying attention to low chill or not so they'll be happy to sell you a lilac that you'll never get to bloom again so make sure you check the name before you buy.

I ordered them Lilacs years ago from the Michigan Bulb Co. There was a pink one, a lavender colored one, and a white one. They were selling them in a lot with the three colors. They probably are the Descanso hybrids. Descanso gets colder than we do, and it snows there more often, we are a bit lower in elevation too. Mine were in the ground for about 10 or 12 years before they decided to start blooming. I have them on the South side of my house, and they do not bloom much. I probably need to fertilize them or something. Mostly, I've been so busy with other things I've ignored them and am surprised they are still alive. After having read the link, I can see that they thrive on neglect, but I do need to fertilize them.
They are budding out two months early though! Should I wait to fertilize or grit my teeth and get it over with?
WIB,
SW

If they only bloom a little bit for you then I think they're probably normal lilacs and not the Descanso hybrids. Since you get snow sometimes I think your area probably gets enough chill some years for regular lilacs to bloom a bit but they may not bloom every year and when they do bloom they might not put on a great show. If you had the Descanso hybrids I think they would bloom more for you. Could be wrong though, I've never grown them so I don't know for sure.

We might get snow, but it usually melts before it hits the ground. I've only seen it snow and stay on the ground twice in the last 23 years here. Only once when it was a good ground covering snow. I just don't know what kind these Lilacs are. One is very short compared to the others. I don't water them but once a week in the summer, so I think they might need some fertilizer. Won't hurt, I hope!
I remember putting them on the South side of the house because these Lilacs were supposed to do better in full sun locations. If I'd known then what I know now, I'd have planted them on the north side. LOL! : )
I'll go take a photo tomorrow of the three of them, and a close up of the buds.
WIB,
SW

Right now I'm really enjoying it all...Santa Anas blowing, but not enough to do damage, supposed to get to only 50 degrees, so it's wonderful to have the doors and windows open and the wind blowing through....

Hi,
One Lilac that I never hear mention of is a variety called 'Excel'....anyway it blooms its head off in the spring with little to no winter chill needed. I find it to be better than the Descanso hybrids I have tried.....

ecrane & andy, thanks a ton for the specifics. I'm gonna tag this thread, and if I can find a spot in my yard to cram in a lilac, I'll DO IT!

Look at what a chance remark inspired. . . .
Hope that your Lilac Thrives!
WIB,
SW