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slideshow: a garden walk in winter

by Ken Smith
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red Wave Hill chairBEFORE IT’S TECHNICALLY GONE, a look at winter in the garden, in words and pictures. Shall we take a walk together through scenes of the months just past?

Click the first thumbnail to get started, then toggle from slide to slide using the arrows beside each caption:

frost on panes
Frost can come as early as late September or early October; by November, regular frost patterns on the toolshed windows are commonplace in the mornings.
espalier with snow
The first snows make beautiful icing on the espaliered Asian pear tree trained up against the back (south) side of the house.
front yard after storm
Out front, no entry in winter. The steep terrain of the front yard puts it off limits all winter long.
rodents on the prowl
Moles, voles or mice, perhaps, have left their mark in the snow; rabbit tracks are also seen all winter long.
buddha up to his beads
Buddha is up to his neck (and his beads) in winter.
front walk is like a sled run
The steep walk from driveway to house looks more like an Olympic bobsled run than a pathway for foot traffic.
the way down can be slippery, too
From time to time, there’s a hopeful thaw, and the ice relents…but not for long.
cornus silver and gold
Even in the coldest, shortest days there is hope and color, like twigs of dogwood Cornus sericea ‘Silver and Gold’ (its leaves are green and white variegated in season).
korean maple
The leaves of the Korean maple, Acer pseudosieboldianum, a hardier small tree than the familiar Japanese maples, hold on all winter, cinnamon brown with reddish highlights to warm a sunny day.
hakonechloa snowy
Don’t clean up too soon: Leaving grasses like Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ in place can add color and texture in deepest winter.
peaceful snowman
Another Buddha, from Java, senses the siege of winter is lifting…but will it be gone for good?
birdbath iced over
A concrete birdbath no longer holds water, but rather moss and sedum and other creeping perennial things (and a covering of snow).
crippsii out back
By the back sheds, a native birch and a planted Chamaecyparis obtusa “Crippsii,’ with year-round golden foliage. The left cabin is home to Jack the Demon Cat.
the cabins
On a snowier day, the ‘Crippsii’ holds more snow on its finely textured foliage. The right shed is used to store pots.
former bluestem meadow
Uphill from the house, another steep ascent to a field that used to be managed as a meadow of little bluestem, a prairie grass. Eventually wild brambles infested the field: an example of the natural succession of woody plants over herbaceous ones.
view uphill today
The last two years, I have kept the uphill meadow mown to thwart the brambles. After a few years of this nontoxic weed control, I will be able to have my bluestem meadow again…at least for a few years.
spots of color
One of several pairs of colorful chairs that make even the bleakest day seem happier.
toolshed
To the west, out past the vegetable beds (hidden by snow), a tiny garden shed.
backyard
From the backyard looking to the southwest.
concolor in snow
Another view from the backyard, of a concolor fir and old apple trees.
fancy concolor
A large sheared ‘Candicans’ concolor fir, Abies concolor, is a blue beacon on the back hillside year round.
weeping alaska cedar
In the far field to the west of the house, one of two weeping Alaska cedars, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula.’
oldest apple
My favorite of the six old apples that remain on this very old orchard remnant.
oldest apple 2
My favorite of the six old apples that remain on this very old orchard remnant. It often has red apples even well into the winter, which delights me (and hungry birds).
apple pruned
My favorite of the six old apples that remain on this very old orchard remnant. Its whirling structure is probably 30 feet across and 15 or more feet high.
the far shrubberies
Looking to the northwest from the western field, down the big shrub borders just below the favorite apple.
the road
At the end of those big shrub borders, through the gate, and out onto the road.
beans in snow
A discarded pod and seeds of ‘Scarlet Runner’ bean, fallen onto the snow near the compost heap. Even winter has it magical moments.
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  1. Jeanne Devlin says:

    Hi! are you the same MArgaret Roach who lived up the street
    from us in Douglas Manor. We are Al & Jeanne,
    kids are Tim, Cathy, PAt & Pete.
    Your sister was the red head beauty. and your Mother was Alene. Am I correct. Hope so …Jeanne

    Reply
    1. margaret says:

      Welcome, Jeanne. And yes, it’s me. Marion (“the readheaded beauty”) is over here at this link). How in the world did you find me after all these years? I hope you enjoyed your visit and will come see me again. Bring all your gardening friends…spring is on the way.

      Reply

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