Around the Southern Garden in Winter

Winter or the solstice of December 2008 in the Lower South (according to Southern Living Plant Zones -USDA Zone 8) brought the frost that turned most of our gardens into shambles. But with the breaking of those precious terra cotta pots we promised to never buy again, ushers in the anticipation of the March Equinox and the greening of long-awaited Spring. In late January, jewels of early blooming daffodils and cuttings of forsythias (for forcing) may be found.

The workhorse of the winter garden plants are the Hellebores. They tolerate almost full sun to almost full shade. Dense shade tends to reduce flower production. Generally they enjoy slightly neutral to acidic soils. They will tolerate dry shade. These wonderful plants may also be in bloom in the southern garden through the winter. Pictured at right is Helleborus x hybridus or commonly called Lenten Rose.

During these frigid days of the winter solstice, the lifeless wilted leaves of agapanthus gives way to the beauty of the bark of Acer griseum (Paper Bark Maple), Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree), Prunus serulata (Kwanzan Cherry) and Betula nigra (River Birch).

Now is the time to witness the emerging crocuses, those tiny, reliable gems that can go unnoticed on the harshest of cold days, particularly in the midst of pine straw mulch. At Ciel Sur Terre of the Gardens at Bayonne, the selections provided here are examples of the beauty in the garden that may be a little harder to find among the fallen leaves and blankets of new pine straw.

Whimsey in the garden appears with the hardscaping of a southern garden in winter, even in those instances where the art is your own creation. The old metal watering can that is no longer considered useful (leaked or just no longer attractive) may be used to house those inherited ivies (particularly the invasive ones that are better contained), periwinkles or sedums. The old metal basket, the container someone discarded or just a great plastic bucket used to hold the school's institution-sized food. All of these things are useful as garden art. Add these to the favorite art pieces given to you by friends, such as the concrete plaques and statues. Now walk through on one of those milder winter days with your camera, with notepad in hand and observe the pearl-white buds of 'Jeanne d'Arc', and 'Blue Pearl'. While you conduct your inspections, make a special note of the statuary. The "faces" of the garden sentry are on full duty in the winter months, protecting against bareness and disinterest.

Enjoy the southern winter garden!

Upcoming at the U.S. Botanical Garden

Beginning January 31st through April 19th 2009, our Nation's Capital hosts the works of Vaughn Sills at the East Gallery of the United States Botanic Garden. African-American Gardens of the South promises to document a "...disappearing way of using and relating to the land--spiritually, visually, and pragmatically--that has been traced back to West Africa."

This year, Gardens at Bayonne will present topics and forums presented by African-American Gardeners in connection with "A Sower Went", our quarterly gardening newsletter.

Welcome to the Gardens at Bayonne. Enjoy and Grow!