Here in extreme Northeast Florida (Amelia Island) our winter has been very mild which is following a winter from last year that saw no sub-freezing temperatures or frost. Here it is the second week of January and the trees and plants are showing early spring growth.

First up are the poor river maples in my front yard. They still have some green leaves from this past summer and leaves that have changed color with the onset of autumn – and now there are blossoms for the next round of leaves. I’ve never seen blossoms this early and certainly, I’ve never seen this many of last season’s leaves still hanging on. I would think that climatologically we’re still capable of having a hard (and damaging) freeze here before February is over.

Here are our azaleas starting to blossom – about one month too early and indicative of the mild winter we’re experiencing.

The river maples with plenty of last seasons leaves and the new blossoms starting to pop. A large oak is visible in the background. Typically the oak will shed its leaves during April and May.

At this point in time with so many spring buds and blossoms appearing our hope is to avoid a hard freeze before spring. We hit 76 degrees here along the coast with the mid-80s reported inland.

Thanks for stopping by! – Chris

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