Below the frosty morning surface of the garden, all the little microorganisms are busy creating nutrients. But for gardeners in need of rest and recovery, January is mercifully slow. After a week of hard overnight frost in the Sacramento Valley, the roses in our Memorial Garden have finally succumbed.
On New Years’ Day, Jody and I completed pruning and tying the grapes; soon, the roses will be ready for their turn.
Yarrow is the only perennial still in bloom,
but we are graced with a silvery green chorus of Artemisia, Lamb’s Ear, Lavender and Rosemary.
The drama of magnificent blooms has been replaced by wildlife’s romantic grace.
“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape – the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show.” ~ Andrew Wyeth
With the plants retreating back to the ground, I can see the need to add more permanent structure to the garden; some raised mounds to create height interest and keep tender plants from flooding; a clearer entry path; more evergreen and grass foundation plantings; a stone wall perhaps (a gardener can dream!) The garden has come a long way from last January’s blank canvas – but the picture is not complete yet, by any measure.
As the garden demands less right now, I have quite literally ‘gone to the dogs’ – helping out our dedicated dog walker team.
Today, I got to assist in an introduction; one of our Homeward Bound rescues meeting the pup of a prospective adoptive family to ensure a good match for all. What an incredible feeling to see a connection made; hoping that another may be on its way to a forever home. That was George’s good fortune today, (shhh…one of my favorites.)
I knew I should have gotten in just one more walk with him! Happy life, my friend!
Gardens For Goldens 