I left a lot of my perennials uncut in the garden this year. The birds enjoy the seeds and the garden looks pretty through the winter. We have only a few evergreens on our property, but they shine in the garden and fields at this time of year. The dwarf conifer above, dressed for the season in ice, stands at the south end of the trail into the butterfly garden.Some of the leaves in my garden are evergreen, or semi-evergreen. The moss under the elm tree stays cheerfully green, though much of it is covered by snow.
Several years ago, I transplanted a tiny white pine, only two or three feet tall, growing sideways out of the creek bank. It is now over eight feet tall and stands at the opposite end of the butterfly garden trail from the dwarf conifer in my first photo. It's needles are long and soft.
I bought a "rescue" Blue Spruce for just a few dollars at my nursery this summer. It currently looks a lot like a "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" but if it makes it through the first couple of winters, I know it will be beautiful one day.
The tall spindly tree in the photo below was planted by Limerick and one of our girls a few years before the white pine. The skies in the background give you an idea of our weather today. That little bit of blue in the northern sky has vanished, and the clouds prevail. As I prepare to post this, late in the evening, heavy snow is falling and we are under a snow advisory for the overnight hours.
A few of the herbs in my herb garden and tucked into my other perennial beds remain green or mostly green throughout the winter, such as this silvery Garden Sage, or this lemon thyme peeking sweetly out of the snow.
Some of the hollyhock leaves in the tiny garden at the playhouse are still green, and one yarrow flower clings stubbornly to its pink, but to me the most interesting thing in that garden on the last day of November was this brown poppy seed pod. This flower bloomed in June, I believe, and it's deep orange petals fell away on a summer wind leaving this intricate pod which seems to be waiting for spring to drop its seeds.
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all photos by Aisling, November 30, 2008
13 comments:
It's interesting to see what remains green, isn't it? Years ago I didn't pay attention to that, but now it's so fascinating to me.
I love that you have "rescued" some of your evergreens!
Aisling,
What beautiful evergreen pictures in the snow! I love the soft, long needles of the white pine, and I also LOVE "Charlie Brown" Christmas trees! That's what I called ours last year, because it wasn't a perfectly pruned tree, but rather a wild one that grew in our woods. They're all beautiful!
Evergreen trees add shape, height and colour to the winter garden. I'm sure your rescue tree will do very well.
Linda, aka Crafty Gardener
Thanks for sharing. No snow in my area as of yet. Expect a dusting tonight.
Joyce, It is very interesting to see what is still green. I love when we get a bit of a thaw in mid-winter and I can go see which plants have kept their color.
Ruth,
Thank you! I'm a fan of Charlie Brown trees too. Years from now, I hope to drape this little one with treats for the birds. :)
Linda,
I hope my rescue tree does well. It looks a little sad, but I tried to give it extra TLC when I planted it.
Ernestine,
I'm so glad you came by. I hope you get just enough snow to be pretty! :)
See if this comment makes it through
Dad
good evening, dear aisling.. I missed my stroll due to my involvement in my aedm projects and was truly torn what to do ... today was the last day of that so next week, I do plan to be back....
my goodness, with all that snow, I would'nt be out taking pictures!! I'd be inside by a warm fire and cup of hot cocoa. :)
Linda, I missed my weekly taste of California, so will be glad when you stroll. I want to get by and see your art post though!
We had major snow overnight. The world is beautiful, glazed and frosted, but I'm afraid my driving will be tricky. I'll catch up with you soon!
I adore pines and evergreens in general. Your White Pine is gorgeous. I need to do some planting this year, and I had forgotten how much I like White Pines. I'll have to look into mixing some in with my beloved Spruce and Cedar trees.
City Mouse, I think the white pine would look great with your spruce and cedar trees, like a bouquet of evergreens! :)
Aisling,
I'm delighted to tell you that you've won an award! Come on over to my blog to check it out!
http://everydaywomanusa.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/when-life-hands-you-lemons/
Congrats!
Ruth
How pretty! We're studying evergreens now in my botany class. It's the perfect time of year!
Aisling~
I did manage a VERY early morning stroll this Sunday, Dec. 7, to enjoy the new snow here in Southern Connecticut!
Please stop by:
http://everydaywomanusa.wordpress.com/
Ruth
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