Late Spring Snow

Leila Alhusaini shared these photos from Richmond, Kentucky, of an unusual—but beautiful—event.

Although it isn’t unheard of, it is very unusual to get snow this late in the season! I took an early morning walk to check on my garden and thought I’d share a few pictures.

The first picture is a view of my perennial border in the backyard. My neighbor’s trees and the woods behind her property provide a pleasing backdrop. The second and third are of a variegated dogwood in bloom. The rest are just various flowers gilded with icy snow, including a double quince, tulips, iris, and pansies.

With everything draped in the surprise late spring snow, the neighbor’s trees provide a pleasing backdrop to Leila’s perennial border. It is great to have a neighbor who provides beautiful views to extend the garden!

A variegated dogwood (Cornus florida, possibly the variety ‘Summer Gold’, Zones 5–9) has an extra layer of white provided by the snow. Surprisingly, as long as the snow isn’t too heavy, a lot of plants can handle these late snows with very little damage. Native trees like this dogwood have adapted over time to handle the vagaries of spring weather. The biggest risk for damage is not usually the cold, but the weight of the snow on the leafed-out branches.

Close-up of the snow on the variegated dogwood.

White tulips bow their heads under the snow in front of a gold threadleaf cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea’, Zones 4–8).

Purple bearded irises (Iris hybrids, Zones 3–8) are topped with a white layer of snow.

The orange-red of flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa, Zones 5–9) glows against the white snow.

Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana, cool season annual) won’t bat an eye at a little late snow, as they love cool temperatures.

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