The hunt for spring
March has been on the chilly side. Despite a few mild days mid month, temperatures are averaging about 4 to 6 degrees below normal and this has contributed to a delay in the spring growth that is usually evident in the later days of March.
In the urban areas, it’s not uncommon to see the white Bradford pear trees showing off their new blossoms along with some yellow daffodils and colorful crocus. Temperatures Wednesday morning were in the low 20s in the lower elevations and we recorded a low of 17 at Chalk Hill in the mountains, adding to the delay of any growth.
The chilly weather looks like it wants to hang on for another week and then milder temperatures should begin to make their way into Southwestern Pennsylvania from the south. Speaking of the south, we had occasion to be in the Georgia and the Carolinas earlier this week and were treated to a beautiful spring display of Mother Nature at her finest. North Carolina interstates were filled with colorful redbud trees and at almost every exit and many of the overpasses colorful plantings of daffodils and forsythia were in view. A lot of effort is being made by the state to bring a bit of joy and color to the otherwise bland interstates. South Carolina and Virginia also had a lot of color at the entrances and exits to the interstates.
In Georgia, we decided to get off the interstates and take some two lane back country roads that meandered through a series of small Georgia towns. Each one was more quaint and beautiful than the next and the big surprise was that spring was in full bloom with a riot of colors. Everything, from pink and white dogwood trees to shrubs of azalea bushes in purple, red and orange. Yellow forsythia was just beginning to fade but plenty of daffodils and even some purple Iris showed up in front yards. It was a fantastic display and we will savor the memories until our own spring growth begins over the next few weeks.
The little town of Forsyth Georgia had a delightful town square with colorful plantings and our hotel parking area was filled with pink camellia bushes. These were in full bloom as were some knockout roses both of which probably wintered over as they seem to be sheltered by the hotel and a hill-side. The town square had a great Italian restaurant and after dinner we spent time driving around the side streets viewing more dogwoods and cherry blossoms. In the morning, we headed back home reversing the sights we had experienced on the way down. In the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia, we ran out of color and came to the realization spring had not yet arrived.
All of the natural spring beauty we witnessed over the past week is headed our way and should arrive in mid-April into early May. The nice feature about our spring is that we get to witness it twice; first in the lower elevations and then about 2-3 weeks later we can see it all over again in the mountains where the colder temperatures delay springs arrival. If you are anxious to see spring sooner, the annual cherry blossom Festival is beginning in the Washington, D.C. area and the peak is scheduled for the first week of April.
Happy spring.