Peachy the Magazine January / February 2014 | Page 47

GARDENS

garden. To attract them, choose deciduous shrubs such as Nandina or holly
and strategically position bird feeders
and bird baths.
While a winter garden can be a wonderful place to walk, you might be
spending more time exploring your
garden from the windows of your
home. Winter gives you time to pause
and consider your garden, to study
its structure and map out changes.
While you relax and enjoy your winter

garden from inside, you can start
planning for your spring and summer
gardens. So curl up by the fire with a
hot drink in hand, a stack of gardening
catalogs nearby and a notebook full of
ideas as you enjoy a winter garden that
is far from dormant and dull.
Find The Garden in
Winter: Plant for Beauty
and Interest in the Quiet
Season by Suzy Bales at
Amazon.com. n

Planning for a Winter Garden: Suzy Bales’ Dos and Don’ts
DO consider other gardens, public and private, for ideas about plant combinations, layout and structure. Take a picture, make a sketch or jot down ideas in
a notebook.
DO sketch out the outlines of beds and borders with a garden hose. The hose’s
flexibility makes it easy to change the shape as you change your mind. Play with
different forms, from semicircles to ovals to free-form designs.
DO use plants to light up the garden. Play with variegated shrubs and gold and
silver conifers to brighten a dreary winter day.
DON’T plant trees and shrubs immediately. Leave them in pots or in burlap and
then place them where you think they should go. Observe them over several days
and from different viewpoints before deciding.
DON’T forget the views from your windows; it’s just as important as a walkaround perspective. Plan attractive vignettes you can spot from inside.
DON’T be afraid to move plants around as your garden evolves. Remember,
not everyone gets everything right the first time, not even experts.

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2014

45