In light of recent events many people have stayed close to home and have found some peace in working in their garden. We are extremely lucky in Houston because we have such a long planting and growing season that even now we can be outside enjoying the cooler days and finding that adding some color and digging in the soil is a satisfying escape for a few hours. Many people forget that you can have as beautiful a winter garden as your spring garden. Our gardens do not have to look drab and dull because of all the wonderful cool weather plants Houston has at it's disposal. Planted now, these plants can flower through to warm spring days.

There are some wonderful perrenials that can give great contrast to the backbone of your beds. When we landscape we use many of these varieties instead of totally green on green. Try taking out some of the boxwood and pittosporum and adding a beautiful wine colored loropetyllum or variegated privet with it's light lacey look. You can have beautiful variegated Jatropha's or purple sage with it's light gray foliage to contrast with the purples of celosia, Swiss chard, burgundy chrysanthemums, sweet potato vine or royal purple pansies. But no color can punch up a bed like white! If all you have time for are a few flats of color, try adding white cyclamen around your front door mixed with blue daze and a touch of red dianthus. Try a carpet of white alyssum, pink cyclamen and blue heaven violas. The winter color is endless for sun or shade. Help is just a phone call away. Don't forget about getting those fruit trees planted now. That gives them a great start before the hot, dry season sets in and what glorious spring color you can have before the fruit sets.

Some of the trends you can be thinking of implementing now are small, private gardens in the areas around your house that are "dead" spaces. Make use of these areas by dividing them with foliage or trellises that can give some privacy and then add some type of seating for contemplation time. Privacy gardens can be fun to create even in the smallest of yards. The sound of running water is very soothing to most people so why not add a small water feature nearby. They are not that hard to install and they don't have to be very elaborate to give you years of enjoyment, with or without the fish. Also you try dividing up the yard into smaller areas as defined by slate walkways , little patio areas, beds connecting clumps of trees, rock gardens, or areas for birds to feel protected and safe.

Feeling safe and protected is getting harder to do right now , but there is nothing like walking out to a beautiful little spot right outside your own home and gathering your thoughts about how lucky we really are to be in this wonderful country of ours. Let's not take anything for granted again.

From all of us at The Backyard Gardener, please enjoy the holidays with friends or family and if you have time to come and say hello that would be great. We have wonderful surprises in the gift shop and friendly people to talk to and help with all of your gardening needs.

Thanks, April and Jim
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