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The winter garden in Kentucky has a beauty all its own. Today may be cold and
snowy, and tomorrow it may be warm and sunny. We can always count on the
weather changing.
Whenever it snows, I am reminded of all the fun times I have hiking and
playing in the snow. I watch the weather very closely at this time of year. I
even print it off every day at work so we can plan the next day’s gardening
activities.
Hot trends in 2007
I spend time each winter considering what will be popular in the garden for
the next year. I believe we are enjoying our gardens more than ever before.
Large sweeps of one color will become more popular than small multi-colored
displays. Tropical plants are still all the rage, with container gardening
taking on a real tropical flavor. A few large container gardens with lush
tropical displays are in, and lots of small high-maintenance containers are
out.
Statuary in the garden is getting hotter and hotter each year. The saints and
religious figures are always popular, but mystical characters, male and
female figures, and anything Asian are what to watch for if you are ready to
take your garden décor up a notch this spring. An Oriental maiden was one of our
most popular items last year and we anticipate her being equally popular this
year.
Recirculating fountains, large or small, are not going out of style anytime
soon. The easy setup and maintenance are a big part of their popularity, but
the desire to have moving water in the garden is a draw that is hard for
almost any of us to resist. I learned this in my own garden two years ago
when we put in a large recirculating fountain: people who never paid
attention to our garden before began to comment on it.
Look with intention
I recently had the chance to travel to London, Kentucky, to speak to a group
of Master Gardeners at their volunteer appreciation dinner. Since I was
traveling a few hours from home, I asked if I could tour a few gardens while
I was there, and they reluctantly but graciously agreed.
“There isn’t much to see,” they said, but I assured them that I could see the
beauty in any garden regardless of the season. For me, the best part of
gardening is recognizing the changes of the season and the changes in the
look and beauty of the garden as each season passes. Sometimes in winter you
just have to look with a little more intention.
The biggest surprise for me was seeing an old plant in a very new way. I was
walking around a garden just as the sun was going down, and I saw these
beautiful stalks with dried seed pods on top that completely stole my
attention. I asked what they were, and to my surprise they were simply the
dried flower stalks of the perennial hosta.
I have always cut the flower stalks off my hosta as soon as they finish
blooming, sometimes even before. This purely maintenance technique has kept
me from seeing how beautiful hosta flower stalks and seed pods are once they
have dried, with the foliage all melted away. No matter how long you have
been gardening, there is always something new to see, learn, or experience.
This is why I love touring gardens and listening to gardeners as they tell me
about what they have done, why they did certain things, and what they plan to
do in the future. Thanks to everyone throughout Kentucky for your letters and
for sharing your gardens with me throughout the year.
Our gardens may lie dormant or colored mostly by shades of brown, but a new
spring is on its way. Take the time this winter to observe your garden with a
bit more intention, and I bet you can dream up a few new dramatic changes for
the coming year. Our gardens are quiet and beautiful in the winter, filled
with lessons to learn, experiences to enjoy, and a simple beauty for all of
us to love.
More trends in 2007
Integrating small fruits
Blueberries are relatively easy to grow and are very beautiful plants. They
can be grown in even the smallest of gardens. Raspberries are another good
fruit addition to your landscape.
Small home vineyards
There are several grapes suitable for wine that will grow in our Kentucky
climate, and amateur wine makers are jumping aboard and learning to grow
grapes.
Larger perennials, smaller grasses
People want larger perennial flowering plants but smaller ornamental grasses.
Coneflowers and hardy ferns are probably the most popular perennials right
now. Switchgrass, specifically ‘Northwind’ or ‘Heavy Metal,’ is great for
smaller garden spaces and can also be planted in large masses in big gardens.
Switchgrass replaces miscanthus, or maiden hair grass, as the most popular
choice.
Individuality and ingenuity
Using old plants in new ways, unique fencing, fountains, and any sculptural
element that ties into the interior décor and your own lifestyle and personality
will be super hot in 2007.
Shelly
Nold is a horticulturist and owner of The Plant Kingdom. Send your gardening
stories or ideas to Shelly Nold, The Plant Kingdom, 4101 Westport Road,
Louisville, KY 40207.
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