Yardening

Liz Ball

Nothing is holier, nothing is more exemplary than a beautiful, strong tree.

-- Herman Hesse

Landscape gifts

Just because we are transitioning into a winter season, do not assume home landscapes are doomed to become dull and unattractive. Whether the landscape is covered with snow or not, the plants there still can offer a lot of beauty and interest.

Why not make a point of noticing how your plants, and those in neighbors yards, are showing off this winter? Start now to spot fluffy or dry seed heads on ornamental grasses, dried flower husks on trees and shrubs, cones on conifers and interesting peeling, patchy or striped bark visible on woody plants that have lost their leaves.

Some plants reveal colorful yellow or red stems, others have branches that weep or are contorted. There will be berries on vines and shrubs. Some plants display interesting buds for next springs flowers all winter.

As the winter season progresses, yes, you will start to see flowers from bulbs and certain plants such as native witchhazel trees, hellebores and winterhazel. A winter of observation will assure you that with plants, there is never a dull moment.

Do you know?

-- Homeowners spend upwards of $500 a year on yard and garden care. Continued...

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Yardening