Yuccas look fabulous, despite low snow.

was only uncovered when I saw a little green below dead plants this year.

Quick, cover it up again. 😆

Barb

I keep my fingers crossed, Paul!!!!
Rob

If you didn't already have the fence up I'd say get a cat or two 😉

Rabbits are pretty cute but I have no problem offing them if they touch my palms 😈

your rodos are looking a little beat up. Thanks for the update.

Paul,
looking good.
My dogs keep rabbits at bay.
The bamboo looks amazing. I just might try it again. I know, I keep saying that....
I like the Magnolia protection. My bet is that it works just fine.
That Aucuba photo was my favorite, though. I have had such bad luck with that plant. My one miserable specimen is hanging in there so far, but not looking as good as yours. 😀
You should be proud.
--Erik

I had posted a reply, or so I thought...

Barb- Aucuba is on its own. It offers nothing that is 'special' or is unavailable in hardier plants. The Yucca are fine, they seem to shrug off the weather until it drops below -18C... I am interested to see if any of the Yucca recurvfolia or gloriosa seedlings will survive winer #2.

Jim/Erik- Had I the means I would fence in the yard and get some cats or a dog. The problem is, if I fail to fence the property (or even if I do) there are bob-cats, Coyotes, and Foxes. All of which have killed cats we've had in the past... When I was walking the property a few days ago there were fresh tracks from a few Coyotes. I hadn't heard them, but my mother said she did. Now, if they could just stick around and take care of all the rabbits! I do think that getting a dog would be a good bet.

Ryan- The Rhodos are all fine. They tend to look curled in winter (an adaptation to avoid cold and retain moisture) but bounce back quickly in spring. If the leaves fail to curl, the plant is in trouble! There is one, 'Teddy Bear' in the front left of the test bed that might be trash or at least damaged. Too bad because this plant has the thickest, brightest, indementum of any plant I grow... The evergreen azalea (also a Rhodo) is a useless thing. I'll use it to light a fire this spring!

Here is the BVT in Feb of last year:
<img src=" " alt="047">
And here it is in April. Fresh as a daisy.
<img src=" " alt="DSC02474">

Paul,
good points.
Frankly, I think it is futile to try to fence out bobcats, foxes and coyotes. And it takes a big dog to deter a coyote--they'll eat the smaller ones. Good luck. --Erik

I bet with that protection your mag will come through with flying colours! All mine have shown no damage yet except form my DD Blanchard in the front. I think it will make it though but look pretty wrecked in the spring..

Paul everything looks good. My phyllostachys Aureosulcata too - 17 one night before i covered it, no worse for the wear. i dont know how well their doing, ill have to wait till march to see if their nice n green.

I hope everything makes it alright

nice update Paul. That Rhody photo with the limp leaves is so cool. I like the fence around your Yuccas..........I hate rabbits too! Those rabbits eat Yucca when snow covered!!!!

Tim- They eat the Yucca when there isn't snow too... Just to irk me, they chew the leaves off at the base, then leave them sitting there. If they ate them, OK. But to just chew them off and leave them there!!!!

Paul,
I don't know your feelings about hunting, but you might want to get a high-quality .177 air rifle.
Lapin is good eating if prepared as the French do it. --Erik

Erik- I thought about getting something like that... I just wouldn't want to kill them if they were going to go to waste.

Anyone know if it's legal to shoot rabbits on your property in Canada?

Up here, as far as i know, if its on your poperty, its pn your property, but, i think thats rural.... im not sure if the laws are different for the city or suburbs. I know my uncle has shot a few moose on his property.