Cold Snap Forecast for Midweek; Low Temps Great for Peonies

pink world, originally uploaded by ms.lume.

A pool of arctic air is forecast to slip southward into New England on Wednesday, bringing a much-needed dose of seasonal reality to the grange. Forecasters predict temperatures will bottom out around 5 above.

This is great news for the peony that was transplanted in the fall. Peonies are incredibly hardy, withstanding temperatures as low as 50 below and rewarding gardeners with giant blooms the following spring. In fact, peonies, much like the homeless polar bears, need prolonged winter temperatures below 40 degrees. This chill breaks the plant's dormancy and prepares it for spring. Without the cold, it likely will not bloom.