Field of Science

Something new - Balmy weather in March

It was quite a day here in the upper midwest.  The high was near 80 and while dinner was cooking the Phactor was sitting on his patio at 7:15 pm nursing a margarita in the dwindling twilight and mid-70s temperatures.  This was definitely something new, for March, with the exception of that one year March 14th was spent in Ft. Lauderdale Florida because the Phactors had friends whose car could dependably cover the distance to Florida, and because Uncle Jim the judge offered to let us sponge lodging off him.  While his political and career advice left much to be desired, this was many, many years ago, he is generous to relatives and very big hearted.  Lots of plants develop very quickly at this temperature.  Hate to see the apple buds swelling so quickly.  Bloodroot popped up and flowered overnight, new plantings, rescues from sprawling development.  Our Abeliophyllum has never looked better, a cloud of pink-white flowers.  If you don't have one in you garden, do think of getting one.  But it was a delightful evening, an attractive sunset, so no complaints, except maybe needing a sarong-clad young woman to deal with the empty margarita glass, a regular tropical fantasy.  The Phactor needs a pinch; this is still March!

4 comments:

Andrew Lane Gibson said...

spent the day botanizing in Adams/Scioto counties and saw over 30 species of native plants in bloom. it's incredible to see things multiple weeks early. all the while I watched the temp reading in my car climb to 83 degrees. only the 14 of march; this spring has me on my toes!

Eric said...

And where is Mrs. Factor and her cabana boy in this fantasy?

Beth at PlantPostings said...

Yes, I agree. Very strange phenomenon here in the Midwest when March feels like May. I haven't seen Bloodroot yet, but the Crocuses, Daffodils, and Hellebores are blooming very early. The Maples are flowering, too, which didn't happen until late April last year. Weird.

The Phytophactor said...

Eric said...
And where is Mrs. Factor and her cabana boy in this fantasy?
At this time of year Mrs. Phactor's only fantasy is the end of tax season.