A yellow more surprisingly late than the last one was early
Anyone who knows goldenrod knows that it’s a fall-blooming plant. In 2011 I was surprised to find one still flowering in my neighborhood on January 19—something that three days of below-freezing temperatures in the first week of February certainly put an end to, if the flowering had even gone on that long. This year, though, with no real winter in central Texas, things have been strange, as you’ve been seeing in these pages for the past few weeks. Two days ago, on February 21, I found this small goldenrod miraculously flowering in northeast Austin. Did I say it’s been a strange winter?
© 2012 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
Winter has been strange all over the world this year. Getting too warm. Love the picture for its details. 🙂
Spiral Dreamer (Francis)
February 23, 2012 at 2:57 PM
The official high in Austin yesterday was 88°, and it’s close to that again today (though cooler weather is predicted for the coming days). Those warm temperatures have brought up all the wildflowers you’ve seen in these pages recently, so I’m happy. I’ve never taken close to this many pictures in January and February.
Steve Schwartzman
February 23, 2012 at 3:03 PM
I am afraid of what could happen in the coming summer months.
Spiral Dreamer (Francis)
February 23, 2012 at 3:16 PM
My daughter moved to Austin last night. Yes last night. They left Dallas at 7:30 and arrived after 11. Ah to be young. She called today to say the temperature was 84. No wonder you have goldenrod blooming. After all it is 2012. Who knows what December 21st holds lol!
Bonnie Michelle
February 23, 2012 at 6:33 PM
I remember you said she was moving here. Let’s just say she got a warm welcome: the temperature went up up to 88° yesterday and close to that today.
Steve Schwartzman
February 23, 2012 at 7:56 PM
I’m a little confused…it IS February in Texas too, isn’t it? Goldenrod doesn’t flower here until August…
Cathy
February 24, 2012 at 1:41 AM
Some of the plants are clearly confused too, Cathy. While this wasn’t a tall goldenrod or one with a lot of flowers on it, the fact that there were any flowers on it on February 21 was extraordinary. Goldenrod doesn’t normally begin to flower here until late August or September. I’m thinking of this plant as a holdover from this past and winter fall rather than one that’s jumping the gun, but I could be wrong.
Steve Schwartzman
February 24, 2012 at 6:11 AM