WHAT TO DO IN THE WINTER GARDEN

The lovely, sunny days belie the fact that winter has set in... snow has not fallen yet in many places, but the plants know. Leaves have fallen, roses have slowed way down, and bulbs have gone to sleep already. However, the warmth of days has coaxed some bulbs to begin greening already. Very confused plants! Work as you can on these gorgeous, sunny days to get those last minute garden duties completed before the rains and snow come. Hopefully you have already put your spring bulbs into the ground and buried your perennials under a nice layer of mulch to stay warm through the winter months. Now it is time to dream of the 2012 summer garden, with vegetables, summer fruit trees, and we yes, BBQ dinners with grilled, fresh veggies!

We can now enjoy cozy evenings indoors, our winter perennials the 'bones' in the various garden areas around the property. Those winter cyclamen, flowering along the walkway, the Lambs Ears that are soft grey-green, pretty when water droplets form perfect spheres on its leaves, are still perky every morning. The flowers on the porch, perky in their containers like the varigated geranium, are lovely, although its blooms number just two now.

Our seasonal gardens always have something new to show us. Wisteria's summer blooms will have leaves that color up in the fall after cheering us with their lavender loveliness, so fragrant! They caught the morning sun, swaying gently in the breeze. Our wisteria bloomed twice this year, just like last year! Lovely cascades of blooms, so fragrant, delightful in a garden. This year our lovely white Clematis from Oregon bloomed profusely.

Purple and white Violas, blue Rosemary blossoms, and St. John Wort's yellow flowers bloom cheerfully all summer; in fact, my Oregano just bloomed again and it is already January 2012! Fragrant, hardy, it will be time to harvest soon for more savory recipes. Select trees and shrubs for great seasonal year-round color, and interesting limbs. Before you know it, it will be spring, then summer! The new selections are sure to be wonderful; new varieties, colors and perfumes are award winners. Try something exciting and new in 2012.

Have fun in your garden! Look around and see what needs to be added, moved, cut back, or enhanced with a colorful, new  neighbor! Visit your local garden nursery soon and spend a delightful time with an overabundance of flowering plants and shrubs to peruse! Garden With Your Kids! Click on the Star for some tips to create an interesting garden.

           

Our climbing summer rose is magnificent!