Finally, we have (some) snow! And hopefully, it’s enough to add some insulation for fragile perennials, shrubs and even established trees. It’s brutally cold but oh so beautiful!
Every season, nature treats us to a masterpiece. In Spring, the palette is pastel with the first flush of the pale green of leaves about to emerge along with the delicate shades of lilacs, tulips and other spring blooming bulbs. Summer explodes with a riot of colour, and Autumn offers a blaze of glory. Winter is the time for plants and trees to rest, offering a tranquil landscape…when I believe my garden is most beautiful.
These are photos taken from almost the same spot, showing summer, fall and winter.
Like many of you, I am thinking (mainly daydreaming) about what to do in the garden this coming spring/summer season. Without the “clutter” of plants and trees in full colour, it’s easier to “see” the structure of the garden. We can visualize how to fill in the bare spots or where to move planters or statuary to complement the overall aesthetic better.
Thankfully, I won’t have the upheaval in the garden like last Spring, but it was well worth it considering the transformation it made. Taking out the grass and widening the walkway makes the space look much more significant, accentuating the formality I’d been striving for…for years! With the space opening up, patio furniture fits in comfortably (without chair legs stuck in the grass), and I’ve found we are spending more leisure time in the garden enjoying a meal or a glass of wine. Isn’t happy hour the best time of the day? It’s also allowed me to view the garden from different perspectives. This, however, can be dangerous as I often spot an opportunity I hadn’t thought of before!
Photos of before and after.
What I’m contemplating now is, “Did I plant too many varieties of perennials”? Was I too enthusiastic in planning the new perennial borders? Although the plants are either non-flowering greenery or only white-blooming flowers, maybe it’s too cottage garden for the formal lines I prefer.
I’ll have to wait to see what is revealed after winter. I also planted tulips and alliums in this space…now I’m thinking it really is too much!
How are your garden daydreams shaping up on these frosty winter days?
xox Judy❤️
This is the time of year I get into real trouble….my eyes are bigger than my wallet! Swore I already have too many dahlias and wouldn’t buy ANY this year, but I’ve spent part of the morning perusing dahlia sites. So far resisting, only because I can’t find the ones I want!!! And the second problem…where in the world will I put them??? I love the new spacious look you’ve created, and my view is that since you are using such a limited palette, and not everything will be blooming at once it will be just perfect! (as you planned!!!)
Hi Carolee, Thank you for your vote of confidence! I envy you your Dahlia garden. I’m in a growing zone where the dahlia tubers would have to be lifted in the fall and stored for the winter. I did that one year only to have the pilot light in my greenhouse go out and all the tubers froze. I hope you find the variety you are looking for and my motto is…more is more of a good thing. xox Judy❤️
I agree Judy, the blanket of white on the statuary and trees is beautiful in winter. Although I hate the deep freeze temperatures, I appreciate the changing looks of the landscape.
The transformation with the widening of the pavers is lovely. I would not have thought you could improve your back yard, but I think the wider lanes is more substantial looking, and more true to form to the look you wanted to achieve.
The good thing with perennials is you can move them around, put them in pots etc. Better to be full than skimpy until they fill in a bit. I think we always end up having to divide and move them when they become overgrown anyway. Can I ask what the white flowering plant is? I love incorporating a pop of white in my pots, but usually annuals. I like the idea of incorporating some white in my perennials.
Hope you and Charlie are keeping warm!
Hi Karen, Yes, the frigid temperatures are unpleasant…even for me, and I love Winter! I agree that incorporating perennials in containers with annuals helps to bulk up the overhaul appearance making a great filler. I have tried to overwinter some of the perennials (Columbine, Ivy and Lily of the Valley) I had in containers last summer. Up until the deep freeze, the Ivy was still green! We’ll see if they survive. The white flowering perennials in the picture I posted are: the mounted one is Campanula Carpatica in Uniform White and the spiky one is Summer Snow Asiatic Lily. We are keeping warm here and I hope you and your puppies are doing the same. Charlie is definitely a fair weather dog and I know she will be happy when the weather breaks…for now she is bored watching me paint. xox Judy❤️
Your garden is so beautiful Judy and it’ll be such a treat to be able to use it right away this year rather than having to wait until the landscaping is complete like last year. The “after” photo is really spectacular and even though the garden was gorgeous in the “before” photo, it really has the WOW factor after removing the grass and giving it the more formal look with the extra stonework. I must admit that I also love the look of my garden in the winter and have been enjoying it (from inside!) with hot cups of tea while jotting down more plans and ideas in my gardening journal. Stay warm and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that our perennials and bulbs survive this deep freeze! Hugs, Karen xo❤️
Thank you Karen. It sounds like you are more organized than me…jotting down your ideas in a gardening journal. I “think” I won’t forget what I had planned but my memory has failed on many occasions! I love looking out my window to the garden too. It’s so peaceful and a welcome distraction from daily chores. Soon enough we’ll be outdoors again and see what new surprises the garden has to offer…and, hopefully, not too many disappointments. xox Judy❤️