The weather forecast last night predicted snow over France with the exception of small areas such as ours. We are protected by the Atlantic (?). However, this morning (25 February) we awoke to a light covering of snow. Less than a week ago we had lunch in the sunshine on the patio.
The snow does not lie on the plum blossom, it is as if the tree itself is providing some warmth. The air temperature is around zero and the higher branches are sheltering the lower branches from a heavy incrustation and creating a circle of green around the tree.
The cherry tree was just starting to flower. I wonder how hardy the little flower buds are?
There are no bees on the Viburnum today.
The garden has a sudden winter look, so difficult to accept after the warm, sunny days of last week.
Some flowers look more appropriate in the snow.
They are called “Rose de Noel” in France.
A much more appropriate name today with perhaps a much more appropriate back-drop to set them off.
There are plenty of plants in the garden that will laugh off the snow, like the Bergenia with its sturdy thick leaves.
Despite its delicate appearance the Sarcococca will be blooming in a few days when the sun is scheduled to appear and releasing its wonderful perfume as soon the temperature rises.
In the meantime the crocus
of all hues,
the Primula,
and the Hyacinth take the cold weather in their stride.
My broad beans which I plant in the autumn have grown valiantly up to now – the moment of truth. I hope they will survive, after much worse weather last February, I have faith in their perseverance.
However, I’m not sure what will happen to the fruit trees. Perhaps this year all I will have from my plum and cherry trees is pictures of their blossom.
a french garden 
It is so frustrating when fruit trees blossom and then it is very cold; it happened so many times to the apricot I removed the tree this winter and planted a much later flowering one elsewhere. today I wooke to what looked like very heavy frost but turned out to be hail and ice crystals all over the ground. Christina
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I do not think I would ever choose an early flowering variety of a fruit tree – I have the patience to wait for the fruit. I think this cold snap must make you glad you removed the apricot tree in favour of a later flowering variety. It is always a difficult decision to get rid of a tree or plant.
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Everything looks beautiful with the light covering of snow. Hopefully all will be well. When we had late snow, the only plant that really suffered was the Magnolia.
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The temperature is not very low and I think that is more important than having a light covering of snow.:)
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I hope those bumble bees you posted about last week are tucked up warm somewhere! I think fruit blossom can stand a bit of frost, but I’ve heard it’s icy winds that they don’t like… Everything does look pretty with a dusting of snow though!
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Same thoughts here.
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We get very little wind here so perhaps that will save us. If the weather forecast is right, we only have a couple of more days to hold out.
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I really need to stop complaining about my summer heat and the damage it does to my plants. I think they prefer the scorching sun to snow!
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Interesting point, Laura, but usually it is easier to protect the plants from the cold as they should be dormant still. But as gardeners, I think we always complain about the weather no matter what happens.
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I do love to see the snow – it’s so pretty, but I hope it hasn’t done too much damage!
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I don’t think the snow will have done much damage and I enjoyed seeing it. It is the low overnight temperatures that might have frozen some of the flower buds and fertilised flowers. I’m just glad I’m not a commercial grower, it might make a difference to them.
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Pollination of the fruit trees could be a little iffy if it stays cold.
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We are forecast some warm weather soon. I’m sure the flowers will get pollinated in the warm spells but whether it will be warm enough for the flower to do the next step in high enough temperatures, I don’t know. If it is too cold they will just curl up and drop off.
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Not the best weather for pollination it seems. But spring in your garden is very early anyway, the snow doesn’t know that..
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We don’t get much snow here and it melted quickly. Spring is really here now. The snow was the last wintry touch.
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