How to create interests in the winter garden.
It may take a winter for you to see the bones in your garden. Evergreens are nice in the front yard of your garden, but plants that lose their foliage are like sculptures in the garden. When planting for winter find at least one specimen that bares an interesting frame..
Check with your local nursery for shrubs that provide berries for the birds in your area. These plants not only give food to the wild but also lavish us with festive accents for the holidays A few clipping to bring indoors for cheer is well worth the investment. Here in Texas where I live American beautyberry is hard to beat. This southeastern native shrub is wonderful, and available in several states. This bush, as well as several other multi branched shrubs are a perfect place for the birds of the air to nest, and seek shelter from the cold.
In the cool months it is hard not to think about hardy woody sages such as lavender and sages to grace the garden and bring in a silver cast. Besides being lovely in the winter the leaves of plants likes lambs ear, artemsia and silver nettle provide the right material for ice to glaze.
Remember your winter garden needs hydration to keep alive. In many places this is not a problem, yet if you live in an arid climate or have sudden drops of temperature make provision. Besides a nice soak, a thick layer of blended compost mulch will protect your winter garden and prepare it for spring.
Consider a fire pit. The moments of cool calm nights give way to romance, and story telling around a blaze of warmth.
Fountains and birdbaths made of concrete are always a stunning feature in a sleeping garden. Ice storms make these elements really shine. One winter we had weeks and weeks of ice, which is very odd for north Texas. Our fountain became the focal fest of winter nights as neighbors gathered around to enjoy and photograph.
Fountain in winter, covered in ice Elizabeth Anna Samudio ©
Winter through spring--cold dark days and long nights bring forth amazing blooms. Many plants cease to thrive with out such conditions. This is an amazing lesson worth pondering.
Tulip field in Washington Elizabeth Anna Samudio ©
Use this space for your winter mediations.
This newsletter is taken from "Gardens that heal, creating your sacred space". Permission granted by Elizabeth Samudio. To download "Gardens that heal" click here.