Backyard Nature Wednesday: My poor confused camellia

Groundhog Day in our area dawned gray and cloudy. No groundhog saw his shadow here. I guess that means our "winter" is just about over. The winter that never was.

In early February, our thermometers have yet to record any freezing temperatures. Some areas of the yard have experienced very light frost, but for the most part, my garden has been frost-free. This has led to a lot of confusion among my plants.

For example, I have this old camellia named 'Mabel Bryan' that has lived in my yard for seven years. It has always bloomed in late March or early April, but for the last few weeks, I've been watching these fat buds grow.

And this week, the buds opened up, assuming, I think, that it was several weeks later into the season than the calendar shows.

It's always a treat to see these bright blooms, but it is a little unsettling to have them so early.

Many other plants in the yard have fat buds already when they would normally still be dormant, and, of course, some have not had any dormancy at all. A gardener has to wonder just what that will mean, long-term, for her garden.

For one thing, I would anticipate a major battle with insects this summer because there's been no weather cold enough to kill them off. More food for the toads, anoles, and birds, I suppose. Nature gives as well as takes away. It's all about balance.