It’s that time of year that’s full of family and friend gatherings; it can be very stressful and overwhelming. During this time, it’s so important to take time to just breathe.
I find the garden is the best place to take a moment to reset my mind, even on the coldest days or evenings. But it’s much easier to get outside if you have a reason. For the late fall/ winter months, try to have some plants of interest, or a destination that you can enjoy while taking a moment for yourself. In my garden, I have a few plants and ideas in mind that can draw you outside.
Some plants of interest can consist of evergreens, or plants that have beautiful branching, especially later into the winter season.
One shrub that fits the bill is camellia, “Yoi Machi.” This camellia boosting white fragrant blooms edged with pink starts blooming in late October for me.
This workhorse of a plant will bloom until early spring if the weather isn’t too harsh. Yoi Machi do like a partially shaded area, and after about 15 years it is about 12x4’.
Another shrub that is beautiful and has interest for the cooler months is Viburnum “Moonlit Lace.” I love this shrub for its nice white blooms in the spring, but in the cooler season you notice how red the stems can be, especially near the leaves.
The next plant I seek out in my garden this time of year is a perennial, Helleborus niger ‘HGC Josef Lemper’. In my garden, this hellebore starts its blooming season in late October and produces its bright white blooms until early spring. This is another part-shade plant and is another workhorse in the winter garden, if you are not one to walk around your whole garden in the winter in search of your plants of interest. If given the space, create a destination.
In a quiet corner tucked away in the back of the garden, there is a bistro table and a couple of chairs. This is my favorite little spot, where I can hear the fountain and gaze over the rest of the garden. This is even my spot in the winter. If you can find a quiet spot with a seat, maybe add some soft lighting. If the rest of the garden is asleep, add a container with evergreen plants to create interest.
Planting ideas can be something like an upright yew, under planted with brightly colored heuchera, carex and ferns. You even can add pansies for winter flowers. A combination like this will give you a garden to look at in limited space. Come spring, you can plant the under plants in your life-sized garden.
We all love the winter holiday season, but it truly can be a very stressful time of year. Getting outside and just taking a moment to take a breath can really be the thing to get you through the season. Enjoy your time with family and friends, but don’t forget to breathe.
Serome
