"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant:
if we did not sometimes taste of adversity,
prosperity would not be so welcome.”
Anne Bradstreet, 1612-1672
Winter is the season when the
elements of structure are revealed in the garden. I used to think this was true of only northern gardens. After all this IS central Florida and our average winter temperature is a fabulous 72-74 degrees with abundant sunshine and blue skies.
Even so, for the last three years in a row, winter has not been particularly kind to Florida. My gardening philosophy is being transformed somewhat to
accommodate the altered weather patterns of frosts and freezes we have experienced. (You can read about it further if you wish in
previous posts here. )
To expound further on how these ideas play out in my garden let's talk a bit about how
one key design element can help make the winter garden more appealing. Or we could say... more forgiving.
Utilizing grasses and other like-plants to
border every planting bed not only emphasizes the curvaceous edges that have been cut out of the
previously lawn covered garden but it also brings a sense of organization and consistency to each design.
Even when there may not be so much going on within the borders. As is the case once we've endured a couple of heavy frosts ... or as in this winter...
several!
Here is the same bed (not exactly the same angle~ but you get the idea) in summertime. The
Ophiopogon intermedius variegated aztec grasses used as the outermost layer in this (very large) understory bed is hardly noticeable when filled to the brim with all that makes the summer garden colorful and bright. What a difference from summer to winter.
The same bed from the opposite angle. Again, the grasses
blend in summertime more than stand out as they do in the dead of wintertime.
In the winter season the borders become part of the
structure and composition in the garden. Hand in hand with mature oak trees, evergreens, native plants, seating arrangements, arbors, pathways, hardscapes, trellises, and barrier walls the
edging borders find it is their time to shine.
The same summertime view and, as you will notice, the
Ophiopogon intermedius aztec grasses are hardly noticeable. Maybe that's because
the eye is drawn elsewhere. Deeper into the multiple layers of texture, color, and the warmth of summer lushness.
In many cases
to emphasize the impact of an edging grass and create more depth I
implement a double layer into the outer border. As illustrated above the exterior layer of aztec grass is mirrored the full length of the curves by
Alliaceae Tublighia violacea society garlic. In spring/summer it will bloom lavender flowers atop tall slender scapes standing high above the dual edging.
Both of these plants are easily divided and transplanted right in the ground. Borrowing from the mature plants in other parts of the garden makes these border creations
economically feasible.
Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata', Flax lily is one of my favorite grass-like perennials (zones 8-10). There are hundreds (from divisions mostly)planted throughout Hoe and Shovel gardens. Used as a fabulously summer/winter hardy plant for delineating edges of planting beds but also placed in groupings to soften corners and increase depth.
It is an easy one for popping a rooted piece into a container garden for a sturdy addition and then change out the flowers around it seasonally. It does equally well in full sun or dappled sun; requiring only rainfall for irrigation.
Flax lily can be attacked with armored scale. I've noticed this on some of mine but not so badly to warrant spraying. I've
chosen to live and let live as I count on the beneficial bugs to take care of the harmful bugs. You can read more about
armored scale and solutions here.
The same front garden bed (a closer look) signifies the
"after view" since multiple winter-frosts have burned root hardy
Hamelia patens firebush, herbaceous Cassia alata, Clarodendrum Ugandese butterfly bush, Duranta erecta 'Variegata', blue porterweed, and red Pentas
lanceolata. While we wait for spring's warm soil to return and bring back our beloved perennials the
flax lily border hides or at least
forgives the multitude of sins within its borders.
Even in the edible kitchen garden borders come in handy to help make winter's fury less of a sting. This year we lost almost all of our winter planted tomatoes (a few have survived with frost cloth) and pole beans(forefront).
A springtime view (of the same border plants) of
Alliaceae Tublighia violacea society garlic lining the curving pathway draw in beneficial bugs as well as carry the garden through all seasons. Some seasons look (much) better than others.
Another example of the winter garden borders with colorful tender plants achieving height above it. The variegated aztec grasses are
tightly planted to eliminate spaces and gaps between plants. This gives the feeling of continuity even though there is a wide mix of understory plants beyond the grasses.
Oh, the southeast property line does not do well in winter. Which is what makes me ever-grateful for the curving border of ... you guessed it...
Ophiopogon intermedius aztec grass. These extremely hardy plants might be overused in my garden but I'm of the opinion they are underused in most Florida gardens. Did I mention they produce a white inflorescence at summer's end! Bees love them.
A wider view of the
same area in September and the
same edging is overtaken by golden rod in the foreground and firebush at the top of the photo.
We Floridians love our tropical and exotic plants. In
the tropical pathway bromeliads are utilized as borders. I've mixed up the tropical borders with the use of
Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata' Flax lily, spathiphyllum or peace lily,
Ophiopogon intermedius aztec grasses, and bromeliads. The bromeliads make it through winter and as you can tell the impatiens which randomly seeded themselves in the first place have perished from frost.
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I should note here for
new readers that my garden is also evolving
from manicured hedges to a more naturalistic feel throughout.
Recruiting plants as natural borders helps me to accomplish a more 'woodsy' look without compromising my need for a good sense of organization simultaneously.
Winter is on my head,
but eternal spring is in my heart.
Victor Hugo
Happy winter, dear readers. You ARE the best! Meems
