Living in Denver: Near 70's Followed By 20 Below is a Shock To Your Yard

As I walk to my mailbox every day, I pass my lilac bushes. I planted them almost 12 years ago, shortly after we moved into our Highlands Ranch home. They were little shrubs then and have since grown much larger than I ever thought they would.

Year after year I have to say that I have really enjoyed the lilacs blooming days, generally around March.

This year however due to our extremely mild winter in the Denver area (until this week) I wondered how on earth they would survive. As temps soared near 70 degrees in January throughout metro Denver, I watched as buds began to appear. I am not certian if they are the leaf buds or the flower buds, I am not much of a gardener but I did know it was too early. And I knew that mild or not, this is Colorado and eventually winter would arrive.

And it did. Temps this week took a nose dive in Highlands Ranch and all over the Denver area. We had well over 24 hours below zero, Tuesday night at -20 degrees give or take a few depending on where it was measured.

I looked at the lilac bushes today, most of the snow on them is now gone. I have really no idea if they will survive. Only time will tell.