A catalpa flower, fallen among the clover.
It amazes me that such tropical-seeming plants can flourish in Wisconsin. Not only the catalpa,
but the hardy hibiscus
which always seems completely incongruous here (this one is waiting to be planted outdoors, it’s not a patio plant).
Of course, right now, we are heading into the tropical season in Wisconsin in truth.
I’ve never understood how fluctuating between -20 degrees F in winter and 90 degrees F in summer with high humidity (-30 to +30 ° C), could be considered a “temperate” climate.
Perhaps there’s another definition of “temperate” in the dictionary that I’m overlooking?
6 responses so far ↓
Cookie // June 27, 2008 at 10:36 am |
I have one of those trees! They are the messiest things I’ve ever seen.
I’ve never understood that temperate weather thing, either. I would think y’all have too much snow for that, but I live in California, so what do I know? *L*
Happy Weekend!
Nora // June 27, 2008 at 12:45 pm |
Good question – I have no answer. I always assumed the word had a different meaning when used to apply to the zone in which we live!
Jeanne // June 27, 2008 at 6:05 pm |
When Michael first moved here from the deep south, he used to constantly complain about the state of our roads, until I pointed out to him that the average year has a temperature swing of 130 degrees. I agree. That is not temperate.
Em // June 28, 2008 at 4:52 pm |
Are you sure that’s a hardy hibiscus? That one looks tropical… you might want to check! Those catalpas are so cool! I love the orange streaking on the throat – t.hat’s a great picture
lisa // June 28, 2008 at 5:02 pm |
Do you have any cactus out there? I know there is some near the sand dunes in Illinois… first time I saw them, they had snow on them! Talk about looking odd… I think if you look close, lots of things look odd and out of place!
elan // June 30, 2008 at 8:54 am |
I’ve got an huge and ancient catalpa in my backyard, it’s my favourite thing about June/July.