Quote

Soft moss a downy pillow makes, and green leaves spread a tent,
Where faerie fold may rest and sleep until their night is spent.
The bluebird sings a lullaby, the firefly gives a light,
The twinkling stars are candles bright, Sleep, Faeries all, Goodnight.
---Elizabeth T. Dillingham "A Faery Song"

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Walking the Perimeter




Yesterday I thought I would visit the sleeping garden and make some spring plans. I like to see the winter bones and it's now that I can definitely assess the need for more winter interest. I am greedy, I don't like the span between the fall killing frost and the first sprouts of spring. I want to see a bloom in December, January and February! A tall order eh? Why is is we poo-poo the hollies, evergreen trees, camellias and such during the heights of summer when they are so vitally important during the drab days of winter? No more I say! I am making a conscious effort to do better! I have already ordered a witch hazel and have plans to buy a thuja green giant. Last fall I planted a possumhaw which I hope will reward me with red berries this year. I am anxiously awaiting the blooms of my lenten rose and shamelessly as a peeping tom I'm looking up their "dresses" regularly for flower buds! Take a walk in my barren landscape and give me some suggestions that maybe I haven't thought of. I don't mind, after all we're FRIENDS!

8 comments:

  1. Hello Jennifer, I saw Phillip's mention of your blog and came over to say Hi. It is always nice to find new blogs. Yours is looking good, keep up the good work. Mine is a Blogger.com template, too. I am in zone 6a in Kentucky, and would love to be one zone warmer. Looking forward to what you do with yours this summer.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love the idea of a winter garden. I have never had one, but am looking forward to some great ideas from you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jennifer, dwarf blue spruce makes a great focal point in the garden. Their blue tune green is a nice contrast with flowing plants around in spring & summer; then it gives a nice color during the dub late fall & winter months.

    You can find info here: http://www.finegardening.com/design/articles/designing-with-dwarf-conifers.aspx

    A few other suggestions:
    Nandina ~ an evergreen shrub with showery fall and winter colors
    Winter Heather ~ beautiful bushy shrub for the winter garden
    Asters ~ this plant produces a large group of flowers with lots of fall color. Asters can bloom well into the fall and early winter in some areas

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cute blog --I found you ---well, first was in this blog, then it took me to that blog, and then I ended up here.
    It will be interesting to see how your garden comes along

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jennifer~~ Phillip sent me over. Welcome to the world of blogging. Have you joined Blotanical yet? I'm not sure what hardiness Zone you live in but you could check out Cotoneaster lacteus. Gray-silver leaves with a gazillion clusters of red berries all winter. When in bloom it's a bee magnet. Come visit me if you like. www.gracepete.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good ideas from all! I will definitely be researching all these possiblities!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Welcome to the garden blogging world!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Also new to blogging. Don't ya love a blank canvas. The sky is the limit : )

    ReplyDelete