The Winter Garden #2

By Ms Sherry

Published: December 23, 2007

In last week’s blog we began talking about our winter gardens. As I looked at my own garden, I realized that we all probably underestimate the beauty that the winter scene can provide and, perhaps, even fail to add the kind of plants which will make that winter scene even more beautiful. We get excited about spring and summer color; visions of bright-hued annuals dance through our heads, and thus we seem to place our efforts on how to make that landscape even more spectacular. But there are so many beautiful things to add to our yards for winter interest, making that landscape just as enticing as the summer one. Winter officially begins in December and stretches through March, giving us lots of months and lots of opportunities. Here are just a few things that can banish the winter blahs and lift our spirits – daffodils and crocuses, hellebores, pansies and violas, camellia japonicas, trees with interesting bark (like ‘Sangu Kaku’, the Coral Bark Maple, whose bark turns from green to flaming red over the cold months), fruiting ornamentals such as cotoneaster and nandina, Fatsia japonica (japanese fatsia) with its interesting blooms, and (probably my most favorite), Edgeworthia chrysanthia ‘Goldrush’. Just thinking about all these beauties makes me glad it is winter. How many of you have smelled the wonderful intoxicating fragrance of a winter daphne (D. Odora)  blooming in the sunshine? I am ready to plant right now. Speaking of planting . . . , for us in Alabama the ideal planting season has arrived. Winter rains will water (hopefully). Since plants are not using all their energy to put out leaves and grow, they can use that energy to get their roots firmly established and off to a good start. Get your shovels, your mud shoes, and your gloves ready – and head out. While you are at it, plant at least one or several plants to enliven your winter garden. I just got a note that one of the big nurseries in Birmingham is having a sale after Christmas–so save some of that Christmas cash and plan a trip.

Just in case you have not met one of the most charming of all the winter beauties, please let me introduce you to Edgeworthia chrysanthia. Known as the Paper Bush, this deciduous ornamental grows about 6 feet wide and tall. It has dark bluish green leaves that are about 3 or 4 inches long. The flower buds form in late summer, so when the leaves fall off in the late fall, it looks as if the plant is in bloom already. But wait—come late winter those buds open up into tiny yellow flowers that have the most heavenly smell. Edgeworthias flourish in the same type of conditions as azaleas; plant them high, in dappled sunshine, in rich organic, well-drained soil. They do not seem to be troubled by garden pests. My Edgeworthia really struggled during this summer’s heat and drought, so keep the hose or bucket and water handy; it will be worth every drop of water to have that plant in your garden during the winter. Even the bare shrub is beautiful.

Before I became a self-described plantaholic (badly in need of a 12 step plant buyers program who lived to garden and watch things grow), I thought winter was the time to read magazines and knit. But I have learned the error of my ways, and now I realize that winter can be the gardener’s best friend.

I wish each of you a wonderful New Year full of healthy growing things and the satisfaction in what we do to make our planet a better place to live.