The Golden Glow of Autumn

One autumn stands out particularly well in my mind year-after-year. Scott and I took a camping vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the fall of 2000. We hiked the days away amongst the golden glow of Birch, Beech, Maple, Hickory, and Oak cultivars, while their leaves also covered our path. In the middle of the day, deep in the woods, the glow was so bright all around us that we had to wear sunglasses. When I close my eyes, I can see our path as if it was yesterday.

Thanks to that one trip, I am forever grateful for the golden fall trees on our lot. Though we have some of the same trees as the forest, we also have many Poplars as well as hybridized specialty varieties that seem to be created especially for my enjoyment this time of year.

Y

Variegated Lacecap Hydrangea

Is there any plant in a shade garden with a more romantic appearance than the periwinkle-toned Lacecap Hydrangea? I have mine paired with the contrasting lacy Sambucus and low-growing Helleborus.

Though you cannot see it in this picture, this plant was variegated when I planted it. I planted three identical variegated Lacecap's together. Some of the variegation remains at the base of one of the plants, but these plants have otherwise reverted back to their stronger straight species. They were so weak and spindly the first four years in the garden that, last year, I desperately planted several Mophead's amongst them. The Lacecap's are starting to thrive, but if you want them happier sooner, give them lots of morning sun!

Y

Lenten Rose

This year, Lent began on February 17th (Ash Wednesday) and continued for 46 days, ending yesterday, April 3rd or Holy Saturday. It is no wonder why gardeners have dubbed Helleborus the "Lenten Rose".

Helleborus is a beautiful and showy, low-growing, evergreen groundcover. It begins to bloom in early-February, making itself one of the few beauties in bloom that time of year. It will stay in bloom through to the end of this month at least, meaning it will be in bloom a full three months!

Helleborus comes in a variety of foliage types and bloom colors. I grow Orientalis here and just adore the soft yellows and pale purples with their speckled centers. They are also interesting in that the bloom heads droop downward under the tallest of it's leafy canopies. I imagine that they were born to be remind us of respectful prayer.

"Lent is a time to listen to the voice of the conscience and to the whispering of the Spirit in the depth of our heart. Lent is a time to be oriented to heaven." -Father Santhosh Sebastian Cheruvally

Y

As Winter Exits: Part 2 - Fragrant Edgeworthia

This Edgeworthia papyrifera was a 6" potted plant just five short years ago. It has become one of my favorite garden plantings. Edgeworthia keeps long, light, silvery foliage well into the holiday season, until the long fuzzy buds begin to open. The blooms are large, maybe reminiscent of the size of Snowball Viburnum blooms. The blooms of Edgeworthia are light yellow, textured like velvet, and are heady with lemony fragrance. I planted this one as close to my back door as possible. Why not reap those effortless rewards?

I understand Edgeworthia chrysantha is supposed to be more winter hardy than my papyrifera variety. I do not see how another variety can out-perform my beauty, but I will plant one and see!

Y

As Winter Exits: Part 1 - The Happy Face of Viola

We are starting to round that corner toward springtime! The tiny signs of new life are starting to show. The shrubs are beginning to bud with new leaf, and the bulbs have sprouted from dormancy. But there have been plants throughout the winter that have bloomed beautifully, keeping a smile on my face.

The potted purple pansies have brightened our decks and our vase arrangements this winter, and I will miss them when they are gone. Pansies come in many colors and varieties. I mainly chose the purple Viola x Wittrockiana and Viola Tricolor (aka Johnny Jump-Up) this year, and think their deep velvety shimmer is just stunning. My stepmother used to keep a couple blooms in a tiny vase on her kitchen window sill and I always thought it made such a precious sight. I commented once that I could always count on seeing pansies in her window during certain months and she told me "I love pansies. They have such happy faces." That stuck with me, and I agree that they do indeed have happy faces! I now have several small vases for my own indoor pansy enjoyment.

Pansies are annual; they do well from the beginning of October through to the end of May, but I will compost them in April to make room for summer color. I like to plant them as soon as they go on sale so they will grow and build strength before the cold temperatures come. The containers are prettiest when you dead-head them regularly, but otherwise they are very low maintenance. The rewards certainly outweigh the responsibilities.

Y

Winter Snows

We do not get snow every year in Raleigh, but we have several inches now. Oh, how I love the snowy days.

The evergreen berry-bearing plants are the most remarkable plants in the snow. The dark greens and bright reds against a bed of pillowy, crystallized, white snow is such a picturesque scene. This Nandina domestica appears to have been waiting for just this snow to flaunt its beauty.

I hope for a long slow melt.

Y

A New Year Begins in January

A new year brings fresh promise of things to come.

Though I am looking forward to being a close part of this earth and the warm air again this coming growing season, I am in no hurry to wish away these winter months. The calm and quiet of January gives me, like the plants, time to rest and rejuvenate. If I pray too hard for the arrival of springtime, it comes too fast. I much prefer to earn the days of spring surprises by appreciating all the days of repose required beforehand.

"The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination." -W.E.Hour

Y