Hello fellow readers,
It occurs to me when we are young, entering adulthood, we are in a stage of growing and gathering. Typically choosing a partner, thereby adding an extended family. Pursuing a career, nesting in a home, maybe having children. When young, we tend to look forward rather than look back.
As we grow older, there’s often a shift of looking forward to looking back to what has been. We typically do less gathering, and more letting go of unneeded possessions, unhealthy habits, or relationships, perhaps. Letting go doesn’t mean we can’t look forward to the future with excitement, though. A priority (which can also be the biggest challenge but greatest gift) is living in the now. Cherish today—this moment.
Do you see Mr. Paper Birch smiling?
Blue Princess Holly / Ilex X meserveae
Our plants are dormant over winter but it’s a wonderful time to dream about the bright, colorful world to come. At the same time, enjoy the world around you now. Take an inventory of your garden. Do you have good bones – meaning the structure of your outdoor spaces? Consider your garden bed lines, hardscape shapes, and function, the form of your focal points, and woody plants. Winter interest in the garden showcases the showy bark of trees and shrubs. Even some dry perennials and ornamental grasses look glorious in the winter. Of course, there are persistent fruits such as berries to enjoy along with the fun of watching birds feasting on them. There are all sorts of evergreen foliage colors and shapes of woody plants with weeping or vase-shaped branching, for example. Of course, there are garden structures such as fences, pergolas, arbors, and pots that can be left out in winter that enhance your good bones.
You may notice things are overcrowded and should be moved. Or areas where additions are in order. Take notes, and if you need more than tweaks, it would be wise to take measurements and make a plan to-scale using graph paper. Or consider a professional landscape design you can implement over time. Creatively designed landscapes are beautiful year-round.
So appreciate the beauty of our world now. Enjoy your life now. But along with the now comes dreams, hopes, and inspiring plans for the future. Wishing you a Joyful New Year!
Garden dilemmas? askmarystone@gmail.com
Landscape Frosting on Glorious Evergreens with Showy Bark
