Looking ahead

It’s easy to get bogged own with all that’s going on because everything does seem “so messed up” but if you plan for great things, like flowers, then you’ll get them!

I’ve already spent a lot of time in my garden this winter because this is a special garden year for me. On Mother’s Day weekend, my garden will be on tour for the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Connoisseur’s Garden tour. Yay! and Yikes! It’s one thing to invite other gardeners over to see your garden, they have an understanding that a garden is always a work in progress. It’s something altogether different to invite the general public, who only expects beauty and perfection. Though I consider my garden beautiful, it’s all in the eye of the beholder and it has never seen perfection.

All to say that I’m both excited and apprehensive about this gardening year. The plants, though, are quickly soothing my apprehensions as they are already showing signs of robust growth.

The only plant that is actually blooming in my garden right now is the old standby Lenten Rose. Every summer I swear I’m going to take it all out – it’s aggressive and takes up way too much space in my garden. But, every January, when I see these beautiful white and mauve flowers blooming in the pale winter sunlight, I’m grateful for them.

For most things, winter is a time of dormancy and rest but in my garden, there are plants whose natural cycle includes new growth during the cold, dark months of January and February. These are not plants whose growth is confused by January temperatures in the 70s. but who normally begin to put out new leaves during this time period. The rate of growth may be different due to unseasonably warm temperatures but I can only hope they are not overextending themselves.

English primrose, grape hyacinths, blue phlox and Eastern red Columbine are all putting out healthy new leaves, getting ready for what I hope will be an outstanding gardening year.

I have to admit that when I look at my back yard right now, it looks a little “messed up.” Most of what I see are brown leaves and dry stalks, but when I look closer, I see the flowers coming up. So, perhaps we all just need to take a breath and look for the flowers in ’22. And, when in doubt, plant more flowers!

I look forward to seeing you all in my garden in May!

Laura

P.S. My friend, Donna Claus, who owns the wonderful wilderness lodge we visited this past September is also looking toward the coming year. Even when her thermometer broke at negative 45 degrees this week, she began making plans for summer. She asked me to post the following and if you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know:

Wanted:  someone who loves food, gardening and wilderness adventure!   A small, upscale  Alaskan wilderness lodge is looking for a chef / gardener to grow vegetables (and edible flowers!) in a greenhouse and to prepare delicious, fresh food for a small number of guests (6 – 8) each week.  The lodge is deep in the wilderness, accessible only by plane, and offers the opportunity of a lifetime for just the right person.  A monthly salary, lodging and possible child care is included, May – September.  Perfect for an adventurous individual, couple or small family.