The Early Winter Garden

The Winter Solstice is here with new snow, short days, and bitter cold. In spite of these factors -- or maybe because of them -- the gardens look peaceful and warm under their new snow blanket.








The bare branches of trees and shrubs (especially those of the Red Twig Dogwood) sparkle as the sun passes over their form.







The native holly looks particularly festive in December with its red berry clusters. Its angular shadow, cast against the background wall, moves gracefully with the wind that blusters through the yard on these cold winter days.




Winter is one of the few times when I think that the old mophead Forsythias have possibilities and should be left, unpruned, in the garden -- not cut down in late Spring to make space for more interesting shrubs or small trees.




The web of wispy branches creates an interesting perspective on an otherwise plain view.




At this time of year and in this severe cold, I tend to view the gardens from indoors primarily. When the temperature hovers in the single digits, I venture outdoors briefly and tentatively to fill the bird feeders or to examine something in the gardens more closely.

Only the heavily furred could bear to lounge outdoors today.