Winter Gardening
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Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Garden Design, Winter Gardening, Winter Solstice
Solstice Season in the Secret Garden
Solstice Season in the Secret Garden  First snow. Powder swirls about the Secret Garden, dusting peaks, tracing lines and filling every crevice. The forest, enchanted, drifts softly off to sleep . . . Winter bares her beautiful bones Article & Photography copyright Michaela Harlow at The Gardener’s Eden, all rights reserved. All content on this […]
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Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening
Enchanted . . .
 Sleeping Beauty, Softly Dusted Before Dawn In the early weeks of February —as skies begin to blush earlier each morning and light lingers longer in evening— winter takes on a certain softness. Traces of pink, peach, lavender and rose paint the horizon at dawn, and whispers of powder-grey fog stir the valley’s hush. Overnight snowfalls […]
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The Seasons, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Garden Design, Winter Gardening
Farewell to February . . .
 A Soft, Snowy Farewell on the Last Day of February A foot of new snow fell on the hilltop yesterday, coating the last morning of February in a blanket of soft white. With longer days and warmer temperatures ahead, there’s much to look forward to in March. But for now, there’s the beautiful stillness of […]
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Bark, Color in the Garden, Conifers, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Garden Design, Winter Gardening
Brightening the Winter Landscape with Bold Bark & Colorful Conifers . . .
A Shot of Luminous Color in the Wintry Landscape: Cornus sericea Lights Up the Entry Garden in January It’s easy to create a colorful garden in June, but can beds and borders still be bright in January? Of course! While undoubtably more subdued than midsummer, a midwinter landscape can include a complex variety of hues. […]
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Autumn Color in the Garden, Autumn Garden Design, Color in the Garden, Conifers, Flower Seeds, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Hardy Succulents, Hoar Frost, Holiday Decorating, Late Autumn Garden, Native Plants, Naturalistic Garden Design, Perennial Close-Ups, Perennial Garden Design, Perennial Garden Maintenance, Perennials : Vermont, Perennials for Autumn, Perennials for Winter Interest, Shrubs for ornamental fruit, Shrubs for Winter Interest, Succulents, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Woody Plants
Crystal-Coated & Sugar Plum Kissed . . . . Late Night Garden Party with Jack Frost
The Entry Walk and Ledges, Sparkling in Sunlight After Jack Frost’s Midnight Ball I love surprises. A life lived predictably seems terribly boring to me and a garden kept under tight control leaves little room for romance. For months now, I’ve been encouraging readers to leave seed pods and other garden remnants standing over winter […]
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Bark, Books, Garden Maintenance, pruning, Shrubs for Winter Interest, Tree Care, Trees, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
Mild Days & Mid-Winter Pruning
Although the Ice and Snow are Beautiful, Winter Damage Must be Cleaned Up Every Year & Now is the Best Time to Tackle Major Structural Tasks (Above: Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’) … Although the old “prune in June” rule applies to certain woody plants in some situations —-those that blossom in early spring, such as lilacs […]
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Ice Storms, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
The Drama of a Crystal-Coated Garden: Mid-Winter Ice Storm Beauty …
Sunrise Through Crystalline Cornus kousa Branches Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ Greets Daylight in an Icy Ensemble Beyond the Kousa Dogwood, Sparkling Twigs of Viburnum x burkwoodii ‘Mohawk’ Gleam Against the Still-Dark Hillside Sunrise moments after an ice storm are always beautiful here on my Vermont hilltop. But the subtle drama of the storm itself —freezing rain, […]
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Climbing plants, Color in the Garden, Conifers, Decorating Ideas, Decorating the Garden, Ferncliff, Fire Pits, Fire Pits and Fire Sculpture, Flower Seeds, Frost, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Garden Paths, Garden Structures, Gardening Inspiration, Perennials for Winter Interest, Planting Techniques, Plants for Texture, Sculpture, Sculpture and Features, Secret Garden at Ferncliff, Shrubs for ornamental fruit, Shrubs for Winter Interest, Shrubs with Colorful Twigs/Stems, Shrubs with Textural Bark, Steps and Stairs - Stone, Stone Sculpture, Stone Walkways, stonework, The Seasons, Viburnum, Walkways - Stone, White & Silver, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Winter Solstice
Sparkling Texture & Dramatic Structure: Creating A Beautiful Winter Garden …
The Entry Garden at First Light in Early December, After a Dusting of Snow I often wonder why I bother to mourn the end of autumn when there’s so much magic and beauty to be found in the garden during this quiet time of the year. As we near the winter solstice, I find myself […]
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Arnold Arboretum, Asian Natives, Autumn, Autumn Color in the Garden, Bee-Friendly Gardens, Color in the Garden, flowering shrubs, Flowering Trees, Hamamelis, Hardy shrubs, Massachusetts, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Witch hazel, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
Arnold’s Promise of Springtime…
Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold’s Promise’ is stunning against the blue sky on a late winter day Though it’s a bit grey and dreary here today —melancholy low fog and freezing drizzle— the promise of spring is in the air. A sure sign? Sweetly scented Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Arnold’s Promise’. This gorgeous shrub literally lights up the […]
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Beneficial Animals and Insects, Berries, Bird Friendly Gardens, Birds, Foliage, Native North American Woodlands, Native Plants, Naturalistic Garden Design, Nature, New England, shrubs, Shrubs for fall color, Shrubs for ornamental fruit, Shrubs for Winter Interest, Shrubs with Textural Bark, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
The Living Garden: Crow Feasting Upon Staghorn Sumac Berries…
Crows feasting upon native staghorn sumac berries (Rhus typhina) in my garden this morning… This morning while lingering over my breakfast, I heard some loud caw-caw-cawing coming from the edge of the back garden, and then noticed a pair of American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) enjoying an early meal of fruit from staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina). […]
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Ferncliff, flowering shrubs, Flowering Shrubs and Trees for Forced Flowers, Forcing Branches in Winter, Fragrance, Hamamelis, Hardy shrubs, Native Plants, Naturalistic Garden Design, Nature, New England, North American Trees, Uncategorized, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Witch hazel, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
The Sweet Scent of Springtime: Bewitching Hamamelis Vernalis…
Sweetly Fragrant Hamamelis Vernalis: North American Native Vernal Witch Hazel, Cut from My Garden and Forced Inside Copper-Orange Tassels of Witch Hazel Glow in the Afternoon Light March, much like November, is a different month every year in New England. Some seasons, March skies are grey and late winter winds are cold; heavy snow falling […]
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Hydrangea, Ice Storms, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
Leaving So Soon? I Wouldn’t Hear of It! Winter’s Latest, Icy Message…
Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ (Red Leaf Japanese Maple) After the Storm With chilly fingers firmly gripping my hilltop, Winter made it clear last night that she’s nowhere near ready to go. And the entire forest —every last evergreen needle and bare twig— humbly bowed beneath the weight of her message. Oh Springtime, where are you now… […]
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Beets, Carrots, Early Spring Garden Plants, Garden Design, Gourmet Garden, organic gardening, Vegetable Gardening, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening
Getting Rooted: Pretty Potatoes, Colorful Carrots, Radiant Radishes & Beautiful Beets…
Now that I have enlarged the potager, I’m planning a bumper crop of colorful potatoes! Radishes and carrots make great companions, not only in salads, but in the potager as well (see pelletized carrot seed planting tip/velvet carrot recipe here, and read a carrot/radish companion planting article here) Colorful Salad of Red and Gold Beets […]
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Cold Frame Construction, Cold-Climate Vegetable Gardening, Cooking, Early Spring Garden Plants, Extending the Growing Season, Ferncliff, Garden Science, Garden Structures, Green House Gardens, Green Living, Late Autumn Garden, New England, Planting Techniques, Root Cellar Storage, Storing Winter Vegetables, The Seasons, Vegetable Gardening, Vegetable Gardening/Potager, Vermont, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening
The Early Bird Catches the Arugula… And the Chard, Spinach & Lettuce too!
Arugula in the Hoophouse, January Let’s start out with a bit of honesty, shall we? The four season harvest isn’t for wimps. Winter gardening  —growing plants in temperatures below freezing to sub-zero, beneath plastic sheeting— isn’t a natural act. And although I enjoy a good game of woman vs. wild, sometimes winter gets to be […]
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Autumn Color in the Garden, Color in the Garden, companion planting, Conifers, Evergreens, Ferncliff, Foliage, Front Yard Gardens, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Garden Paths, Garden Rooms, Ground Covers, Hardy shrubs, Hydrangea, Late Autumn Garden, Living Walls & Fences, Night Garden, Plant hunting, Plants for sun, Plants for Texture, pruning, rock garden plants, Secret Garden Room, shrubs, Shrubs for fall color, Shrubs for Winter Interest, Unusual Plants, Wind Breaks, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Woody Plants
A Tough Broad for all Seasons: This Sulfur-Tipped, Ice-Blue Chameleon Really Knows How to Wear the Pants…
Juniperus squamata ‘Holger’ atop the Secret Garden Steps in January It’s easy to get gardeners excited when I talk about big stars like hydrangea, azalea and viburnum. And most everyone swoons over those voluptuous and intoxicating bombshells: the roses, French lilacs and tree peonies. But junipers? Why they’re a lonely and oft-neglected group of garden […]
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Bark, Climbing plants, Color in the Garden, Frost, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Hoar Frost, Naturalistic Garden Design, New England, Ornamental Berries and Fruit, ornamental grass, Perennials for Winter Interest, Plants for sun, Plants for Texture, Shrubs for ornamental fruit, Shrubs for Winter Interest, Texture, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
Golden Light & Glistening Gardens on a Frosty Winter’s Morn…
Sunrise on the Frosty Tufts of Miscanthus sinensis As a winter snow storm swirls about outside, my thoughts drift back to yesterday’s frosty morning, and the glistening, pink-gold sunrise. If today she reveals her wild fury, I am reminded that this tempestuous season more often shows us her beauty… Morning Light on Humulus lupulus (Golden […]
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Dan Snow Stonework, Ferncliff, Garden Paths, Gardening Inspiration, Glamorous Gardens, Home, Lighting, Night Garden, Secret Garden at Ferncliff, Secret Gardens, Steps and Stairs - Stone, Stone Walkways, stonework, Texture, Walkways - Stone, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening
A Little Romance on a Winter’s Night…
Though the holidays have come and gone, snow-dusted landscapes continue to enchant. Twinkling, candlelit stairs, luminous paths and glowing, snow-capped tabletops greet the frosty evening. Meanwhile inside, a toasty fire crackles, and the scent of red wine & mulling spices warms the air. A Little Romance on a Winter’s Night… *** Words and Photographs â“’ […]
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Berries, Bird Friendly Gardens, Birds, Ferncliff, Garden Maintenance, Garden Paths, Glamorous Gardens, Hoar Frost, Lawns, Naturalistic Garden Design, Nature, New England, ornamental grass, Perennial Garden Maintenance, Perennials for Winter Interest, Plants for Texture, Shrubs for ornamental fruit, Shrubs for Winter Interest, Vermont, Viburnum, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Woody Plants
Sparkles, Drifts, Patterns & Shadows: The Beauty of a Frosty Winter’s Morn…
Frosty Holiday Decorations Oh, the shimmering, glimmering glamour of a frost-covered garden! After days of howling wind, I awoke to a still hush and brilliant sunrise. I simply had to rush outside to greet the glistening morn. Of course, there was no time to change into snow boots and jacket. Oh no. So I grabbed […]
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Fun in the Garden, Garden Art, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Garden Dining Rooms, Garden Party, Garden Rooms, Garden Structures, Gardening Inspiration, Other Blogs, Outside Architecture, Treehouses, Trees, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening
Winter Dreams and Frosty Fantasies: Magical, Snow-Covered Tree Houses…
Treehouse by Amazon Tree Houses – UK – This UK-based company designs and builds some of the most beautiful treehouses I have ever seen. They are truly fuel for fantasies and fairytales… Imagine being awakened by a gentle rocking sensation as wind sways your nest; watching snow flurries dance, high up in the treetops. Could […]
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Bark, Color in the Garden, flowering shrubs, Front Yard Gardens, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Garden Rooms, Gardening Inspiration, Hardy shrubs, Hydrangea, Japanese Maple, Late Autumn Garden, Native Plants, Nature, New England, North American Trees, Plants for Texture, shrubs, Shrubs for Winter Interest, Shrubs with Colorful Twigs/Stems, Shrubs with Textural Bark, Texture, The Seasons, Trees with Textural Bark, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
Papery, Peeling, Striped & Shaggy: Textural Bark Brings Warmth & Beauty To Stark, Wintery Landscapes…
From peach and cream to reddish brown, the peeling bark of our native, paper birch (Betula papyrifera) is one of my favorite textures in the winter landscape… Brr… It sure is cold outside. With temperatures hovering around 15 degrees fahrenheit here in Vermont, it takes an awful lot to stop me in my tracks for […]
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Artful Garden Objects, Conifers, Ferncliff, Garden Design, Garden Design Photos, Garden Paths, Garden Rooms, Gardening Inspiration, Hoar Frost, Ice Storms, Inspirational Gardens, Moss, Native North American Woodlands, Native Plants, Naturalistic Garden Design, Nature, New England, North American Trees, ornamental grass, Outside Architecture, Paths and Walkways, Perennial Close-Ups, Perennials for Autumn, Perennials for Winter Interest, Planting Techniques, Plants for Texture, rock garden plants, Sculpture, shrubs, Shrubs for Winter Interest, Stone Walkways, stonework, The Seasons, Vines - Perennial, Winter, Winter Garden, Winter Gardening, Woodland plants, Woody Plants
Garden Structure & Seasonal Texture: White Lace and Sparkling Silver Tulle Dance and Flirt in a Prelude to Winter…
The Entry Garden at First Light on December 11th I often wonder why I bother to mourn the end of autumn when there’s so much magic and beauty to be found in the garden during this quiet time of the year. As we near the winter solstice, I find myself every bit as enchanted by […]
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