Redo of last year’s winter is a chance to do it right
November, with its relentless rain, was like a repeat of last year’s late autumn weather, and few of us are thrilled with the dismal forecast of another long, cold, wet winter. Still, I see opportunity here, a chance to revisit and avoid repeating errors of the past.
The largely unusable weather for gardening last winter inspired hibernation — not a good idea for anyone desiring to remain physically fit, emotionally healthy, and mentally alert. This winter I’ll be far more watchful for windows of above-freezing, dry(ish) weather to dash outdoors, even if briefly, to accomplish bits of tidying and take on a few garden renovation projects.
It may be useful to regard bursts of productive activity out in the garden this month as therapy, an escape from seasonal and personal stresses. Out in the garden, worrisome preoccupations fall away like the leaves of autumn.
Wet weather is ideal for clearing garden paths. In the back garden, mine are overdue for cleaning and covering with cardboard, newspaper, and wood shavings. The rain holds everything in place and helps the weed-suppressing layers to settle nicely.
Another routine outdoor tradition in December is the gathering of evergreen and berried stems and boughs to distribute around and inside homes. This common modern-day ritual is actually an ancient practice that, at the darkest time in the year, brought comfort to people. The greenery brought indoors helped to keep alive a faith that the earth would spring again to life and productivity after the dark and cold of winter.
Most gardens will provide at least some materials to enliven the holiday atmosphere in homes. I tote a seven-foot orchard ladder about the garden, saw and pruners in hand, to gather cedar branches hanging over the fence line onto my property. I lay the larger boughs on the brick planter across the front of the house and add red bows, a few ornaments, and tight, dark flowerbud clusters cut from Viburnum tinus and Pink Dawn viburnum.
Smaller cedar snippings grace window ledges, accompanied sometimes by rosemary and sweet bay stems. The large sweet bay (Laurus nobilis) tree in the back garden also provides enough fragrant boughs to make raffiatied swags for friends and neighbours.
Berried branches, fir boughs, red-twig dogwood stems and trails of ivy are more festive garden items for decoration, indoors and out. Gathered materials can simply be arranged in a pot and placed by the main house entry as a seasonal welcoming. Lights in the dark. Pockets of decent weather used for time in the garden can bring moments of enjoyment and an opportunity to observe and assess. I especially appreciate the fresh, sweet winter air, bright red berries on the skimmia bushes, and the fragrances of winter. Clusters of tiny buds have already formed along the stems of two sweet box (Sarcococca) shrubs, amid the plants’ shiny leaves. Soon, the feathery little white flowers will open and release their sweet fragrance through the back garden.
The plants I’ve mentioned are only a few of many that grace the winter garden with colour, beauty of form, and fragrance. On their website (russellnursery.com), Russell Nursery in North Saanich has an extensive list of “some plants that shine in winter.”
Observing and assessing the garden in winter is a useful exercise. Look for plants that are overgrown, out of place, or miserably awkward to care for. If you decide to remove any plants, consider replacing them with ones that will provide pleasing points of interest in the winter garden.
Garden Event
VHS meeting. The Victoria Horticultural Society will meet on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Garth Homer Centre, 813 Darwin Ave. Guest speaker Judi James will show her recent photos of private gardens in Brittany, where she spent this past summer. Judi will also speak about how the Association of Parks and Gardens of Brittany promotes tourism by investing in heritage and historic places and by opening private gardens to the public. Members are asked to bring finger food (with list of ingredients) and table greenery between 6:30 and 7. All are welcome. First visit by non-members is free. vichortsociety.org.