She's so cute.

It's possible that snow in the winter has helped by acting as insulation, which stays closer to 32F especially when several inches deep. I live near lake Erie and believe it or not when the lake is frozen in Winter it helps the area near the lakeshore stay warmer than areas just 10 miles South and the temperature spread can vary more than 20 degrees just a few miles South. We are a micro climate adding one zone higher than just south. I love micro-climates! Protection from wind (which snow provides too) and protection from intense winter sun can also help push the zone. Winter sun heating up by day and temperature plummet at night is another thing that can kill otherwise hardy plants. We keep our tender treasures on the back side of our house where Winter sun and wind exposure is minimal providing snow cover longer allowing us to break our zone. Also I have found zone hardiness can vary between between cultivars of the same genius and species. But a word of warning with temperature swings becoming more severe it's becoming more difficult because in January we can see 70 degrees Fahrenheit that melts all snow followed by an 80 degree drop down to below zero in less than 24 hours. I suspect it's only going to get worse based on what we have experienced in the last 15 years since we've been plant fanatics. This can damage and destroy long established conifers and deciduous trees and shrubs that are considered zone hardy. Notice I'm a bit long winded, sorry but thanks for reading if you've made it this far 😊

@@FlockFingerLakes I love how they're always a bit hesitant on calling out the Latin names at first, and then you bring out the nerdiness in them and they get all jumpy and bubbly and calling out more and more plants. i just love the energy change

You're lucky to live in a natural setting and can gather those precious gifts of nature.

Our pleasure!

Thanks from all of us! You do the same :)

Lichen or in dutch korstmos

@@harmen9035 Thanks!