Different year, different appearance

     This photo of the patio was taken recently.  Some changes are evident from the photo heading up the blog, which was taken in 2015.  The changes are due to some bad winter weather.  First, it was fifteen below zero (Fahrenheit, or minus 27 Celsius) with no protective snow cover, which damaged many perennials.  Second, it warmed to 70 degrees (22 Celsius) in February, which stimulated growth of hostas and other perennials.  Third, that was followed by hard freezes which damaged or killed the new tender growth.  Thus, the hostas in the RR tie planter, behind the white begonias, are much smaller this year.
   The rose begonias on the left side of the patio are also smaller this year, due to several days in May in the 90s right after planting.  They were badly burnt and never recovered fully.
     The bricks in the patio are reclaimed street pavers, originally used in the city of Milwaukee in the early 1900s.  Most of them are rounded at the edged, caused by hard wagon wheels and horseshoes cracking off pieces over the years.  I collected 5000 of them in the 1970s.
     The dark green plant in the foreground of the blog page is Plectranthus coleoides "Nico Foliage."
     I can only hope for a better winter coming up.