The Winter Landscape

Posted on by

Most people dread the winter landscape.

IMGP5183.new I do not.   As move about the garden, pruning ghosts of last season’s bounty, I’m awed by the transformation from living green to tawny,

IMGP5151_cropped_4184x3341..new

golden,

IMGP5197.new IMGP5098.new

red.IMGP5205.new IMGP5181_cropped_4368x3120..new

IMGP5114.new

Texas winter mutes garden color,

IMGP5104.new

…gray, buff, and brown complete the winter palette,

IMGP5268.new

IMGP5132.new IMGP5215.new

…with a dollop of green, here and there.

IMGP5154_cropped_3366x3969..new

Leaves fallen, disintegrating, held aloft by other sources,IMGP5112.new

IMGP5121.new

…but also rising from the soil,

IMGP5133.new

…are the stuff of garden life.

IMGP5136.new

 

14 thoughts on “The Winter Landscape”

  2. It is refreshing to see something other than plants in full bloom. Honestly, ignoring winter never really seems to help much. Embracing winter’s palette seems a much wiser move, and I thank you for leading the way!

    These are some superb photos. Is that goldeneye gone to seed in that 11th shot? Regardless. A beautiful take on the less appreciated beauty that is winter in our parts.

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • Yes, I thought some brown/tan/beige crinkles were in order. It’s not like we’ve had MUCH of a winter, either–though enough to render most (though not all!) plants toasty.

      You have a keen eye, Ms. TexasDeb–it is indeed a goldeneye seedhead. The seedheads are just as photogenic as the flowers, it seems.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  3. We keep our woody perennials standing into mid February as they are good for overwintering wildlife and in a frost look wonderful. Gardens “put to bed” for the winter always seem to be devoid of life even decaying life, much better to enjoy all of the winter colours.

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • Good for you–plants in winter are beautiful and useful for wildlife. I hold off as long as possible, before the green insinuates itself up from the earth. Our winter has been very mild, I can’t wait much longer!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

  4. I totally agree with everything everyone has said so far. The only thing I might add is that I love how clay soil feels under those fallen leaves in the winter here — it is so velvety soft. If I push some of those leaves aside I almost always see something green (or pink) ready and willing to grow.

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • I know what you mean–so soft and rich, I wish that would last into July and August. 🙂 And those things that are pink underneath the leaves are so fun to find.

      Like

      Reply ↓

      • It is funny how much that soil texture changes with the seasons leaving me once again convinced soil really is a black box universe to us. So soft and cake-like in spring, dusty and hard in summer and then in fall happy to receive new plants. Those changes could be explained by moisture but I like to think we are actually seeing seasons of growth and rest in microscopic communities — that there are ecosystems below us.

        Like

      • Soil is a remarkable substance. There are so many variables, so many different textures. I agree that the microscopic entities are the cause of how soil feels at particular times of the year and particular places. That’s why it’s so important to maintain healthy soils, year-round.

        Like

    • Thanks, Beth. Warm it’s been–I’m currently wearing shorts. Again. It’s supposed to get cold though, so you know the saying: if you don’t like the weather in Texas (or fill in the blank), just wait a minute.

      Like

      Reply ↓

Leave a comment