Winter garden tour
Cindy on January 6th, 2010
“Nature has undoubtedly mastered the art of winter gardening and even the most experienced gardener can learn from the unrestrained beauty around them.” — Vincent A. Simeone
Of course, I’d rather be gardening on my knees — on the soft green lawns of May and June. But being an optimist, I try to look for beauty in unexpected places, including my Royal Oak garden in the winter.
I love how the snow dresses the statuary in and around the beds. (Friends unload their garden treasures in my yard when they downsize, knowing how much fun I have with them.) I love the pure stillness of the winter-white air, and how the Zen garden looks more contemplative with less foliage.
The holiday lights are packed away now, but January brings its own subtle beauty to the landscape. It invites us to rest and reflect. Gardening, after all, demands back-breaking chores that start in April and don’t end until mid-November. As garden writer Ruth Stout observed, only in the winter “can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.” –CL
– Garden photos (copyrighted) by Cindy La Ferle. For more photos of my garden in winter and summer, visit my “Garden Magic” and “Winter Garden” albums on Facebook. –
January 6th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Such pretty pictures, very contemplative. I love the changing architecture of gardens and landscaping throughout the seasons, each one beautiful in itself. Happy New Year to you Cindy, all best in 2010!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Gorgeous and moody.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
This garden looks so lovely and peaceful. Cindy, these photos are wonderful. I feel more Zen and quiet just looking at them.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
What gorgeous photos, Cindy. I can’t believe they’re from your iPhone! They make me miss the beauty and stillness of winter here in sun-drenched Los Angeles.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I have a friend who is a gardener who looks forward to January. She likes the sense of possibility and the planning for spring. She is already leafing through seed catalogs! Cindy, your post reminds me to enjoy the landscape, whatever the season.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
My goodness Cindy, you put away the lights very quickly! How efficient you are… more time for enjoying your winter garden!
My kitties and I are enjoying the birds checking out the selection of seeds I put out for them in front of the window… our very own nature show!
January 6th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Winter gardens, with their contrast to the white snow, always fascinate me. Of course I prefer to enjoy them from inside a warm house but I think they are beautiful– Yours certainly is.
Thanks for sharing.
xp
January 6th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
It goes without saying that I agree.
And spent the day outside yesterday at the lake , and taking photos of the peace I found and felt.
January 7th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
a few years ago I stopped cutting back my black eyed susans. the “eyes” and long black stalks are so pretty against the snow.
January 7th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Thanks, all, for your kind responses to the photos. So glad to know you also see the beauty in winter, especially if you live in the Midwest or Northeast. We’re being hammered with snow this year!
If you’re on Facebook, you can see more in the “Winter Garden” photo album, as well as a lot more photos of the garden in summer — in full bloom. Gardens are magical places, all year ’round. Please share your own garden photos with me if you have them! — Cindy La Ferle
January 8th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
I love your garden statuary–what a great idea for winter interest.
Your thoughts about appreciating the spare beauty of your winter garden work for most of life, I think. I’ve had the same thoughts out in the desert. About how the starkness refreshes the eye and brings new appreciation to green.
Living is being fully engaged, now.
January 8th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Kathleen,
Aside from the fact that you’re a Scott (my paternal grandmother’s maiden name),I am so glad I discovered your blog this year! It looks like I’m going to have a blast reading your posts and seeing photos of your amazing gardens. Isn’t it wonderful how we garden spirits seem to find one another?
At the same time, I appreciate you attitude about not worrying over things you cannot control. This is one of many lessons I’ve learned from my gardens over the years. — Cindy La Ferle
January 8th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Be still my heart. I keep gazing at my winter garden thinking I should take pictures and post them. My Buddha with snowy shoulders, Mother Mary up to her waist in white. But you beat me to it. Loveliness abounds. And I appreciate this, perhaps more than the images, “longer, quiet stretches of belonging to one’s self.” Sigh…..
January 8th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Cindy, winter has apparently taken all the life of those people in your garden. They seem to have frozen over!
January 9th, 2010 at 2:25 am
I actually hate winter and love every sunny day we have here in Los Angeles compared to the majority of life that I spent back East. But those photos of your garden, the statuary and the snow are so serene and beautiful. Thank you for a beautiful post!
January 9th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Beautiful!
January 10th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Beautiful and soothing photos, Cindy. Thank you.
There is a hush that comes with certain winter day and your images captured it perfectly.
January 30th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Love your snowscapes! Winter has its own unique beauty, and I love the play of patterns you often find against a crisp white background or with a snowy accent.