December 21, 2022
December 09, 2022
Before the Snow
Autumn and winter are playing tag in my part of the world lately. We've had cold days and snowy days, followed by rainy, sunny, and relatively mild days. This morning, Mother Nature blanketed the garden with a fresh coat of snow. It will probably melt on the weekend with milder temperatures, but it's pretty while it lasts.
Before the snow, I took a quick tour around the garden yesterday to note the highlights of the late autumn garden.
Most years, the Epimediums ('Rubrum' here) are chewed to the ground by the rabbits this time of year. Rabbit activity, for some reason, is lighter this autumn.
I like the stacking here of the Juniper shrub, Epimedium x warleyense, and the Ajuga groundcover.
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is a favorite in the garden this time of year with its colorful seed heads.
Moss on rocks and other surfaces keeps the green character going throughout the winter.
The Hellebores retain their umbrella foliage until I trim them in the spring.
I'm trying to get some swaths of Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra) going, to spill over the rock wall. I've had limited success (rabbit damage, slow growth, etc.) But this one survives with a little help from caging at the base. I hope it will fill in more in the years to come.
I leave the garden seed heads, including Echinacea, up over the winter for bird food and for insects that might be overwintering in the stems. I think they also add character to the winter garden.
This combo of Coneflowers (E. purpurea) and Blue Mistflowers (Conoclinium coelestinum) is fun.
Most years, the Epimediums ('Rubrum' here) are chewed to the ground by the rabbits this time of year. Rabbit activity, for some reason, is lighter this autumn.
I like the stacking here of the Juniper shrub, Epimedium x warleyense, and the Ajuga groundcover.
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' is a favorite in the garden this time of year with its colorful seed heads.
Moss on rocks and other surfaces keeps the green character going throughout the winter.
The Hellebores retain their umbrella foliage until I trim them in the spring.
I'm trying to get some swaths of Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra) going, to spill over the rock wall. I've had limited success (rabbit damage, slow growth, etc.) But this one survives with a little help from caging at the base. I hope it will fill in more in the years to come.
I leave the garden seed heads, including Echinacea, up over the winter for bird food and for insects that might be overwintering in the stems. I think they also add character to the winter garden.
This combo of Coneflowers (E. purpurea) and Blue Mistflowers (Conoclinium coelestinum) is fun.
The 'Ozawa' Allium (A. thunbergii) I profiled in my last post is still holding its color and form.
How is your garden faring as the seasons shift? Soon the days will be consistently cold and snowy, and winter will take hold here. Things are getting festive as we shift toward the holidays...
