Winter clean up

With our weird weather, there were some tasks I usually accomplish in the fall that I just now completed - cutting back the clematis and asparagus. It took a polar vortex to push those plants to complete dormancy. While I was at it, I also cut back the ornamental grasses, as they had been smooshed by heavy snow that was topped with an icing of freezing rain. While I was in the vicinity, I also whacked the 'Autumn Joy' sedum.

I never did get the azalea wrapped in burlap, but apparently the snow protected it from the bitter cold, as it looks pretty good. Fingers crossed. Similarly, the lawn was protected and is rather green. At least the grass is not actively growing.

The ground is not frozen, either. Of course, we still have a couple months of winter to face. Hopefully, it won't be a nuclear winter.