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Scent of Winter – A Sweetness In The Air

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The scent of the season can be brought inside and enjoyed while nesting.

Scent during the cold months of winter are welcomed indoors and out. There are some fragrances that we anticipate and others we do not. Scents play such a role in our lives. As a gardener in the off season I seek out seasonal scents whenever I go outside.

Now that the holidays are over, the smell of balsam, fir and pine, still linger lightly in the landscape. In my yard, this fragrance comes from recycling wreaths with home-made edible ornaments for the birds.

Each flower looks like a ballerina. In my mind, the imaginary skirt twirls as it emits the sweet scent of winter.

As I wander down by the woods line, I lift my nose there is a faint sweet smelling scent. A scent that in some circles is known as “Sweet Breath of Spring” or “Kiss Me At The Gate”. In other circles it is known as January Jasmine or Chinese Honeysuckle. When I lived in Fredericksburg, Virginia, we called it “Winter Honeysuckle”.

Botanically speaking, it is “Lonicera fragrantissima”. A honeysuckle with the sweetest scent in the middle of winter. This shrub has an expected height and girth of 6 – 10 feet. Great for those who have space, as every branch that touches the ground takes root. If you are considering a shrub that will create a thicket if left alone, the added value of this shrub is the scent.

This scent would waft through the air as I walked past the downtown train station in Fredericksburg. In a neglected corner, this shrub did not look like much. We often forgot to water it, yet the sweet scent it shared was one of forgiveness. We could see passersby looking around in wonderment as they tried to figure out where the scent was coming from.

Left on it’s own devices, Winter Honeysuckle can become gangly in appearance. Full or part sun, it will only require moderate water to survive. A decent pruning after bloom will keep this shrub happy and healthy as it flourishes in the landscape.

The pale pink, almost white sheath holds the subtly sweet scent of winter.

The delicate bulb like buds are held tight on each limb. Covered in a sheath of soft pink, a gentle squeeze of these buds, tickle your sense of smell. Perfect for cutting and placing in your vase of choice, Winter Honeysuckle branches add a sweet scent to the air. Although some consider this a thug shrub, placed properly it has value in the landscape.

When there is nothing else in bloom, try Winter Honeysuckle. Whether it is in the ground or in a vase, it is sure to brighten up any gray winter day!!

The scent of Winter Honeysuckle dances in the air on slippers of gold…only in my mind.

I hope you add a bit of fragrance to your world as we continue nesting til Spring!

Teri, Cottage In The Court

To find out more about this fragrant shrub, click here.

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Stillness in Winter – A Gift to The Gardener

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Stillness in winter is perfect for autumnal tasks.

When the air is crisp and the leaves are falling leaf removal is on our mind. Which is why autumn in winter is a gift for this gardener. The stillness of winter beckoned me to see what I could get done on a warm December day.

My stool and the Women’s Work gauntlet gloves are today’s garden essentials.

I gathered the necessary tools to not work but linger in the garden on my own terms. None of my neighbors were outside enjoying the stillness of the day. The birds were chirping, dogs barking and I was alone to commune with nature. I reached into my curbside flowerbed and gently lifted the leaves. Away from the crowns, from in between the foliage, I tossed them to the curb. Tossing over my shoulder, the acorns which were trying to take root, landed softly on the growing pile. Noone heard this but me, in the stillness of a winter day.

GIFTS BENEATH THE LEAVES

The single dandelion boldly blooming, despite the season.

I chose to linger in certain spots because of the gifts that continually appeared as I sorted through the leaves. The bold bloom of a dandelion, with basal foliage peeking from beneath a clump of yarrow. Often under-appreciated, the dandelion brings so much to the garden. This gift, considered a weed to some, a plant many people abhor, desperately attempted to eradicate by others, is actually good for the pollinator community. Did you now that bees and birds love dandelions?? Dandelions are a terrific source of nectar and pollen for hungry bees and pollinators. Who knew that such a gift could be found when venturing outside in the stillness of a warm winter day.

Peony tips easing through the soil like a rocket preparing for launch.

Gently running my hands over the surface of the soil, I felt a bump that jarred my memory. A peony root, planted with a kiss for good luck, had survived. One stalk emerged and one leaf spoke to the strength of the root. There was no bloom, but this tip emerging from the chosen spot gives me hope. I hope that this year, I might get two leaves.

Tree peonies are such tough friends in the garden.

I paused and strolled over to my garden heroes. The tree peonies trampled by roofers last year were beginning to swell. My heart, melting in the stillness of this moment, was a bit overwhelmed. These ladies bring a bodacious bloom as they lift their heads and dance in the breezes of Spring. In African American folklore, peony seeds were given to those who are indecisive about something. In my garden, it offers a brief moment of bloom after a winter thaw.

The False Indigo pods have a beauty and music of their own.

What is that I hear? A subtle rattle disrupts the quiet in my garden as I brush past the Baptisia, also known as False Indigo. The blackened pods hold seeds that create music, which disrupts the stillness of the moment. I gather a handful of stems and shake them as I dance my way to the pile of garden debris. The joy of peace and quiet of the garden in the stillness of winter never ceases to amaze me.

The hosta stalks have a similar song…like a soft tap dance on the leaves below.

GARDEN LOSS

This Pieris Japonica will be missed next Spring.

Loss in the garden is an expected reality. We can appreciate this act of life and consider it an opportunity. To remember and replace with something different or similar. The Pieris Japonica will be a memory and instead of replacing it, I will allow the azaleas to spread in girth and close the gap.

Winter allows us to spend quality time in the garden. The quiet time which allows us to remember the summer garden party and embrace the absence of the same. The stillness found in winter is a special gift to the gardener.

Do you appreciate winter’s warm days? Is walking through the garden and assessing future changes a task you enjoy? Does the stillness of winter encourage you to go outside and embrace the beauty that surrounds you??

Celebrating finding stillness a gift,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

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Foliage Fun In Winter

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Repurposed foliage can last a considerable amount of time in a cool home or office.

Foliage bouquets on a winter day can be a lifesaver. The traditional bouquet is generally filled with blooming plants that are terrific eye candy. After the blooms have faded, the leftover foliage is no longer appreciated. This is true even in the garden.

Most gardeners tend to plan and plant for color on those hot summer days. The evergreens quietly take a back seat to the colorful parade that beats its drum loudly. When autumn arrives, the garden is put to bed and it is only then, the evergreen foliage stands out. Humbly saying “look at me now”. Snowfall then graces the foliage of these evergreens making them sculptural magnificent.

FORAGING FOR FOLIAGE

One of my favorite things to do in winter, is strolling through my neighborhood during or after snowfall. The mature evergreens that are part of the natural landscape, tend to pop out of nowhere. Taking the time to wander and observe nature in winter, allows one to see what can be foraged.  Foraging outdoors for vines, branches with berries, or branches with winter fruits are all quite interesting. Each of these options might be found in your own backyard. All can be found in the woods or at the edge of a stream. The diverse foliage found in nature are the perfect seasonal accent. Pruned to the perfect size, they are useful in arrangements inside and outside the home.

Using leftover foliage from the garden, I created a unique container arrangement to great me everyday.

PRUNING FOR ARRANGEMENTS

The delight of a container filled with assorted branches in the midst of winter is amazing. Here are a few tips for knowing what to prune:

  • Prune any crossing branches. This will prevent the winter winds from creating a wound that could allow pests and disease to affect the plant. Clean your pruners after every cut.
  • Make sure the cuts are not visible to passersby. This could leave an unsightly gap in an otherwise perfect specimen. If you can prune in different places every year.
  • Cut off enough to use as you lightly prune or shape your plant material. Make certain that you are using the appropriate type of pruners, shears or lopers. The wrong tools can either mess up the tool or severely damage the plant.
  • Make all of your cuts a clean-cut. Stems should not be mashed or shredded. Sharpen and disinfect your pruners as you move from shrub to shrub.
  • Do not leave your shrubs with bare knees. Most evergreen shrubs should be wider at the bottom than at the top. Shrubs are not square in nature – just a friendly reminder. Know your plant material.
  • Select branches that are supple, have interesting foliage and most importantly have no disease.

CREATING ARRANGEMENTS

Here are a few tips to remember when arranging:

Select your container with its placement in mind. No tall, oversized containers for the dinner table. There is nothing worse than trying to have a conversation through a bodacious bouquet.

Try low and broad containers. I try to use something that can be recycled or reused. If you cannot see the container, that simply allows you (the arranger) to play more.

Bigger leaves in the back or at the bottom lays your foundation. . Building out and up is key. Make sure that your arrangement is not top-heavy. If you have to move it, you do not want your work to topple over.

No blooms or berries  NO PROBLEM! There is enough foliage in the winter to create unique arrangements  by using the branches and boughs.

Get outside, forest bathe, gather some cuttings from the winter garden and create!

Dreaming of forest bathing, pruning and snow!

Teri, Cottage In The Court

Snipping foliage here and there, the scent lingering on my hands , winter arranging is a sensual delight!

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I embrace and share the beauty that surrounds me.

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