No doubt, through the year the gardener is swayed in picking favorites by what’s blooming at the moment, and how could he be blamed for ignoring this beauty? But, in the gray bleakness of January, his mind wanders to plants that are most favored, regardless of the season. Choosing favorites is a matter for consideration…

Most years, there is no question that leaves of hellebores, damaged and browned after typical January temperatures that occasionally drop to near zero (Fahrenheit), must be removed to be rid of the weathered leaves and so that flowers are more visible. Even in a mild winter, the foliage of several vigorous hellebores obscures flowers that…

With repeated failures, I’ve given up trying to grow butterfly bushes (Buddleia, below), despite concern at one time that these might be overly vigorous. There is also a problem with invasiveness of seedlings that I’ve witnessed, though not in this garden where a once very healthy shrub perished quickly when the surrounding soil turned damp…

Not unusually, I am conflicted by the relative lacking of witch hazels in the garden. Always, there is something that must be had such as the sturdy and beautiful witch hazels, but with little open space available for shrubs, and less in sunny spots, decisions to purchase must be delayed until the off seasons. To…

Somehow, and I cannot explain why, after nearly thirty one years in this garden, I am unable to locate micro climates that might support plants that are only marginally cold hardy (I hear you, I’m not too bright). Yes, I’ve tried, and failed, with no discernible patterns. At least, indiscernible to me. One year, maybe…

I’ve caught a bit of a cold after two days walking a trade show with ten thousand other plant people, so my already diminished sense of smell is reduced even further. Still, on this calm morning, with the air heavy from last night’s downpour, the fragrance from the vernal witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) is enough…

The long declining Alaskan cedar (Cupressus nootkatensis) has been removed, cut as near the ground as possible. The remainder of the trunk and roots will remain, and these were not shallow so new plantings will not be interfered with while roots decay. Unsurprisingly, an evergreen planted twenty years ago occupies quite a large space, which…

The wait for spring has begun, though the target is not in March but a day in February when witch hazels and paperbushes are flowering, when daffodils are pushing above ground but there is no hurry for them as snowdrops and eranthus are flowering. From this day there is sufficient activity to occupy the gardener’s…

From mild and marvelous, the garden has turned to white, Bare branches and piles of debris set aside for another day are now covered by snow. Cloaked by wet snow, slender limbs arch to obstruct the garden’s paths. A gentle nudge dislodges the heaviest of it, but I don’t expect it to be around for…

Certainly, there is trouble ahead, there must be, despite reports from forecasters that no temperatures below mid teens (Fahrenheit) are expected in the seven weeks until spring (the gardener’s spring, March 1). Though today is gray, damp, and dreary, it is also mild. It is exaggerated to claim that the garden is filled with flowers,…

A mild winter, so far, has allowed minimal protection of less cold hardy fatsia and anise shrubs. On chilly nights, leaves of the variegated anise shrubs (Illicium floridanum ‘Pink Frost’, below) droop, a reminder of their tenderness, though rhododendrons that are much cold hardier also droop on cold nights. Instead of baskets of leaves, I’ll…

With fewer urgent matters to occupy the gardener’s time, early winter is a period for planning, what will be and what must be purchased for spring planting, and also for reflection. While scattered blooms and smaller delights entertain through these otherwise dreary winter months, piles of leaves and bare branches invite thoughts of the lushness…