February 25, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

A HOST OF GOLDEN DAFFODILS

“…A host, of golden daffodils…”

“…beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”

“They stretched in never-ending line………..”

“And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.”

My meadow… a landscape inspired by a poem.

To hear Jeremy Irons recite Wordsworth’s poem… http://www.facebook.com/#!/BluestoneGarden

February 23, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

FABULOUS FRAGRANCE!

The moment I walked out the door I knew it was blooming.

Winter Daphne (Daphne odora aureomareginata) the most powerful fragrance imaginable. To quote a delivery person “That is LOUD!”

She is not hard to look at either. Fragrance reminiscent of Lilac…but more… and hauntingly beautiful.

February 18, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

FRECKLE FACE!

All of the Helleborus in my garden are seedlings. Each one has different colouration …. all stunning, all with freckles.

Only one named variety from the Heronswood ‘Party Dress’ Strain. It is a double, and not open yet.

Perhaps because there are so few blooms at this time of year they are all the more appreciated.

February 12, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

MEANWHILE, IN THE GARDEN..

On a tour of the garden today, signs of spring …

The Meadow is coming alive..

Soon I’ll post the results of 13 years of rescuing daffs and trying to achieve the ‘English Thing’.

Meanwhile the Winter garden is doing what it is supposed to and is at its peak….The “peak” lasts a few months… Above, Prunus mume & Helleborus, below, a camellia…

Below, evergreen shrubs make this is a very satisfactory garden area.

Notice, below, the variegated Boxwood, the berries on the Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica ‘Alba’) and the groundcover Sweet Flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ )…

This is usually the time of year projects get started &/ or continued to be worked on, some, for many seasons. There are so many projects…..

When we started this garden, we did not consider, EVER, declining physical stamina.

January 31, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

SIGNS OF SPRING

Last day in January and there are signs of spring everywhere.

The daffodils (Narcissus) are coming up in the meadow…

and the Prunus mume (Japanese Apricot ) is blooming!

I didn’t have my glasses, but you get the idea. Too bad one can’t photograph the fragrance.

I know there will be more ‘cold snaps’ before winter releases us from her grip… but these signs that she is waning, gladden the gardener’s heart.

© All photos & text 2011

January 27, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

ANOTHER ESSENTIAL PERENNIAL

Arum italicum ‘Pictum’ is, in my mind, essential in any garden where it is hardy. This perennial sends out its foliage in the late fall and remains green all winter.

The handsome leaves resemble arrowheads with strong creamy veining. They make a sensational groundcover. Since one NEVER cuts the leaves off daffodils (Narcissus), the Arum makes a good companion for them in a vase.

In spring a creamy spathe appears. The flower & foliage disappear in the summer, followed by a column of orange/red berries.

If one gardens in zones 6-9 they are indispensable in the winter shade garden.

© All photos & text 2011

January 21, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

WINTER ‘TO DO’ LIST

Phillip Oliver of Dirt Therapy has put together a wonderful ‘to do’ list for January. Which reminds me to move the rose I have been meaning to for years! It is ‘Graham Thomas’ a David Austin introduction.

Temporarily planted at the entrance of our driveway 13 years ago, my husband & guests complain it scratches their cars…. the post office threatened to suspend delivery…..

January 19, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

INDISPENSABLE PERENNIALS 2

Another indispensable perennial for the winter garden would be Epimedium or Barrenwort. Pleasant foliage all summer turning bronze / rose in the winter. They make a very useful groundcover in dry shade and are magnificent paired with Helleborus. Below in my garden…

In very early spring the delicate flowers, commonly called Fairy Wings, emerge and proclaim winter officially over.

Although they find their way into my miniature vases, they are by no means ‘show stoppers’. I use them primarily as ‘filler’ although some of the newer varieties just introduced from Asia can definitely stand on their own. Below Epimedium ‘Making Waves’

I encourage you to add some to your garden. The best & newest can be found at http://www.plantdelights.com Another bonus… they are deer resistant.

Photo of Epimedium “Making Waves’ used with permission from Plant Delights Nursery.

January 12, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

AN INDISPENSABLE PERENNIAL

I am not a huge proponent of perennials. I find they require too much maintenance for a very short show and then, even the foliage disappears for the winter. There are of course exceptions. Peonies for example are worth whatever effort is required for even one day of bloom but of course they do last 10 days to 2 weeks in the garden and are stunning in a vase (see Reggie Darling on the pronunciation). The foliage too is quite handsome for most of the summer and useful in arrangements with other flowers as well.

The perennials I consider indispensable are those that have evergreen foliage. Perhaps the best of these are the Hellebores (Helleborus species).

They exhibit handsome leathery foliage, appreciate shade, and furnish the garden with much-needed greenery when it is most welcome .

I particularly like them planted at the feet of deciduous shrubs…

and at the base of large trees where not much else will grow.

Planted in masses, they make an effective ground cover.

Even in northern climates where there is snow cover for most of the winter, their flowers popping up through the melting snow is a sight to behold.

I do hope you include some in your landscape.

January 3, 2011 by Sandra Jonas

THE WINTER GARDEN

With all the holiday activities over I finally got into the garden. What a relief! It is so quiet and peaceful, in stark contrast to the last weeks. It truly is my sanctuary… just as I planned it.

Gardening in Georgia, one can have a winter garden that BLOOMS. From time to time a hard freeze will turn my magnificent camellia flowers to brown mush….

but in a day or two when it warms, the new buds open and the show begins again.

Even if they did not bloom, their evergreen presence create the ‘bones’. I always start with the winter structure when I design landscapes. Without structure, a collection of plants scattered about without any rhyme or reason, is just….. well, a collection of plants just scattered about! Below,’ BEFORE’ at a client’s.

While I love the warm spells, my hydrangeas (the macrophylla types) are all too anxious to welcome spring and start to break bud. Not a good thing!!

The next frost will damage the flower buds that are already exposed. I’m going to try covering with ‘Remay’ a protective covering , or ‘floating row cover’ used in the nursery trade. Hopefully they will be spared. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

December 27, 2010 by Sandra Jonas