Plants Don't Know Its Winter

A few days ago I noticed that several plants were breaking out of winter dormancy, which is not so unusual to see in south Louisiana as we have mild winters. Lately we've had day temps in the 60's and night temps in the 40's. Every now and then a cold front will move in and it will be cold, as in a day high of 40-50. Here are a few pictures from around my yard.

Here are pictures from two of my petunia hanging baskets. Last year's petunias set seeds and now the seeds are just beginning to grow. I planted these petunias 2 years ago and they always set seed! In a few months I'll have blooms.

This is the only flower in my garden! This is a dianthus and it mainly blooms in colder months.

Here is one of my hydrangeas putting out its first leaves of spring. The hydrangeas don't realize its still winter; I guess they have been fooled into thinking that it is spring since we haven't had very cold weather.

This is a new leaf bud on my Red Buckeye tree (Aesculus pavia). Its a slow growing tree and is always the first tree to leaf out in spring. Red Buckeyes also have very pretty red flowers. I'll be sure to post pictures of them whenever it blooms.