Hello, fellow lovers of all things green. Last week’s surprise snow was lovely to wake up to, inspiring outdoor decorating. While doing so, I thought about Christmas memories and created a new season of memories in the galivant.
Ellie Christmas 2017
Miss Ellie had learned to flail her tail by the door where the ribbons of bells hung, creating a sound like a reindeer making a landing. The bells are beside where we stash the biscuits; her cleverness earned her a treat. The bells are hung in the same spot each year, but Jolee hasn’t learned the ringing for a biscuit trick.
Protecting Broadleaf Evergreens
The fresh snow enticed a quick cross-country ski around the yard. I noticed the rhododendrons curled up leaves, protecting themselves from transpiration – the water loss from the stomata, the tiny pores on the underside of leaves. Thankfully, I sprayed them with an anti-transpirant to prevent dehydration, which can cause die-back. It’s not too late to protect your broadleaf evergreens but wait until the next dry day over 32 degrees to spray them with a natural resin such as Wilt-pruf.
While skiing by, I remembered when Ellie would grab a tennis ball from the two sitting in front of the charming golden angel statue below the viburnum Sara used for respite during hot afternoons. Ellie’s ball playing was sporadic and not nearly as skilled as my ball-aholic, but it always brought a smile. There’s a photo above my desk of another snow with Ellie pulling the fuzz off a tennis ball with her paws packed in snow, making it look like she’s wearing fuzzy slippers. When I reflect on that moment and gaze at the photo now, it feels like two moments in time coming together— as if Sara were passing the ball to Ellie. And now Jolee plays tennis from time to time, but, like Ellie, Jolee is not the stellar player Sara was. Chasing squirrels and chipmunks is her thing.
Jolee December 2024
Cherished Season of Memories
We stopped for a posed shot in front of the weeping hemlock (Tsuga canadensis pendula’s) planted in memory of my brother Bill, who passed just before Christmas eleven years ago; it’s hard to imagine how fast time has gone by. There’s solace in imagining that Bill and our momma, called home after Bill, are now together with dear old Dad. But I miss Christmas caroling behind the piano while visiting them in Florida as we used to do. I decorate the hemlock each year with a big red Christmas ball and adore the portrait of Ellie in front of the tree. Jolee wouldn’t sit still while encouraging her to pose for the same shot, so I snagged a shot in motion instead.
The weeping hemlock’s form complements the rock garden’s wispy Japanese forest grass. Hakonechloa macra is my favorite ornamental grass, especially when dry in its golden glory. Japanese forest grass doesn’t flatten under the weight of snow and doesn’t require cutting back. In Spring, new growth will push out the old. You can use a soft rake to help the shedding along, but bringing in the new comes easily—a lesson we can apply to our garden of life.
All living things return to their source.
I hung a wreath above the covered footbridge over the pond, adding stems of berried holly to gussy it up. The red bow I had handy was tattered, but I used it anyway. It served many years decorating the wooden sled left behind by the previous owners. Signs of age, just as with people, are beautiful. A sign of life well-lived.
There’s beauty in imperfection.
Ellie’s revived memorial tree 2024
Previously, I shared a story about Ellie’s memorial holly, which dropped all its leaves the first Spring. I rallied to fertilize and keep the soil moist, and it came back to life, though lopsided. But there’s beauty in imperfection. While decorating the tree with Jolee this year, I marveled at how the tree is filling out. It reminds me of the wisdom of not giving up hope and providing nourishment and love instead. But sometimes, it’s time to say goodbye.
All living things return to their source. There is life and no life, and then new beginnings sprout, fed by the nourishment from the generations before. And there is love that never ends or dies. Wiggly Jolee sat before the revived holly for her portrait. Perhaps Ellie encouraged her to do so from above.
The holiday season can bring reflections that trigger a longing for years gone by. I hope you find comfort in going home for Christmas in your most beautiful memories and dreams. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone@gmail.com (and now on your favorite Podcast App.)
There’s more to the story in the Garden Dilemmas Podcast (a soothing 10 minutes):
Related Posts and Podcasts you’ll enjoy:
Holiday Decorating Reflections – Blog Post
Ep 86. The Revival of an American Holly
Merry Season of Love Over Fear – Blog Post
