As I was tidying up some of our potted plants over the weekend, sorting and grouping them together in preparation for the winter (as well as just being organised, or attempting to at least) I had a sudden thought, why am I hiding the evergreens?
First, a bit of autumn colour in the garden...
It was very damp, grey, and misty over the weekend and although it never actually rained while we were in the garden the atmosphere was so cool humid that it felt like we were gardening whilst there was a constant drizzle. Still I wasn't complaining as the temperatures were at least mild and it was atmospheric, like gardening amongst the clouds. And I'll take this condition anytime over freezing temperatures.
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| Still out and on display - Echeveria 'Compton Carousel' (note the dew, the air was that damp) |
Going back to sorting out some of our potted plants (the hardy ones that won't be going in the greenhouse) I tend to loosely group them together, roughly in the following categories:
Fully deciduous - herbaceous plants that have gone dormant now and are just pots of soil are grouped together, and with them too are leafless woody plants that looks like sticks on a pot at the moment. This is my favourite group for apart the occasional weeding of their pots they just fend for themselves all winter and I rarely worry over them.
Hardy evergreens (but not quite) - although they generally should be fine left outside all winter, because of their size and susceptibility due to being in pots (rather than on the ground) they could do with being shoved under cover if the weather gets really cold. These plants I huddle together just outside the greenhouses and outbuildings ready to be moved in at the last minute if needs be. Our potted Scheffleras are in this category
Hardy evergreens - evergreen, hardy, and generally tough plants that can take whatever the weather throws at them.
As I was grouping plants together and putting the last category in our utility area I thought, why am I hiding this lot? So I shifted some of them on the side passage, on to the brick edging that are usually occupied by potted tree ferns during the warmer months.
Okay, they are in black plastic pots and I don't intend to repot them for a better display but their evergreen leaves are enough to bring lushness and cheer to an otherwise bare stretch of a brick wall.
Makes me wonder now though why did I even think of hiding them somewhere functional in the first place when these tough evergreens are currently at their element, during the dreary colder months.
Mark :-)
This gardening blog follows our journey as we create our Tropical and Exotic themed garden. We hope you'll enjoy the journey as much as we do. We started our Exotic Garden in 2005 and this site will show its development, as well as our travels, both abroad and within the UK to gardens, nurseries and friends.
I do love that Acer in the first pic. And what makes it look particularly good is the contrast with all the lush greenery around it. In pots or in the ground we can't be without green.
ReplyDeleteThose acers did look great last weekend Jessica. By next weekend their colourful display will be gone so while it lasted it was something to relish. And yes we can't be without green indeed :)
DeleteI think evergreen shrubs in containers are great for winter decoration near the house.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good tip you give to shove the more tender plants inside for short periods when the weather is particularly bad
They are Roger, they make for a good mobile display too to fill in gaps as well while other plants are dormant :) some of the potted evergreens suffer when left out during prolonged cold and could do with a little protection during that period. Moving them together in the same spot just makes it convenient to just shove them in at the last minute :)
DeleteWow, I can't believe how much moisture there was in the air! Your photos look like they were taken after rain.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful foliage everywhere. There's nothing in your garden that you need to hide!
Thanks Gerhard :) if I had my way I wouldn't hide anything but weather and seasons does get in the way :)) it was so damp last weekend that our clothes got moist the moment we stepped out.
DeleteIt's funny how some we miss some of the most obvious things in the garden, isn't it? Nice job noticing that you've got some great winter specimens to show off! (Just don't block the view of that bamboo!)
ReplyDeleteThat Aurea Koi bamboo is one of my favourite bamboos Alan, such bright and interesting culms they have :)
DeleteYour potted evergreens look fab placed in clear sight for the winter! I have a few potted conifers that replace the brugmansias in ornamental pots for the winter then go back into hiding for the summer when the brugs come out again.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good idea Peter, substituting the brugmansias with conifers during the colder months for a nice rotating display and change of interest!
DeleteGardening amongst the clouds! I will think of that while working in the garden during the drizzly Portland winter.
ReplyDeleteIt felt like that Amy, although spiced up with some imagination and mind play :))
DeleteSometimes habit just takes over. I'm glad you broke the pattern and put the evergreens where you can enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteOne continues to adapt and change ways Kris, I'm glad the thought occurred to me before I shifted all of them away :)
DeleteGreat idea! And WOW, those acers!
ReplyDeleteThey looked fab last weekend Amy :)
DeleteEverything looks so lush and full of life! My garden has taken on the pallor of cold temperatures and wind burn. Thankfully we should warm up towards the end of the week. Hopefully your mild weather will hold for sometime.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that milder weather will be on its way there Loree. Your garden could do with a break from all that cold weather you guys have been having recently. Hopefully all your plants are fine despite that :)
DeleteI do love my evergreens as it gives me something to look at over our winters but I also enjoy the deciduous shrubs as they give some structure rather than just the flat ground.
ReplyDeleteCher
The bare stems of deciduous shrubs and trees does add interest in the winter Cher :)
DeleteThey look perfect displayed like that! Good that you thought about not being necessary to hide them :)
ReplyDeleteNice to use them too n the winter Lisa :)
DeleteI love those cool, almost misty days. Honestly, those are my favorites, preferably with wisps of fog in the trees. Glad you thought to display your tougher potted evergreens. It's always better to have plants out where you can enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Evan :) it was quite fun last week despite the dampness, and the garden was very atmospheric
DeleteI cannot imagine a winter without evergreens! That would be drab beyond bearing!
ReplyDelete