Friday, January 16, 2009

Friday Flowers: Winter Garden

I visited the park this week for a short walk in very cold weather. It is possible to get adjusted to subzero temperatures if enough clothing is worn, preferably at least two layers of everything. Two of our daughters went to the big sledding hill for over an hour the other evening, in the dark and with the mercury at about -20C. They were not alone. Ski hills and outdoor rinks are busy too.


There is a certain beauty found in snow and ice. I walked across this bridge to the little island and saw a large group of White-winged Crossbills feeding noisily in these spruce trees. Many Mallard ducks were congregated on the ice to the left.


Several other people were sauntering through the snow enjoying the fresh air. Even a short time spent enjoying the outdoors is enough to lift the winter blahs. I recently mentioned to my niece that my mother used to insist that we get two hours of outside play every day in every season. Many days we stayed out even longer because we were having so much fun.


In a corner of the park is the sensory garden, a place where all the plantings have a special feel or smell. The leaves above were still bright and green under the snow. I don't know what the plant is.

The holly was also green and fresh as a ground cover under the pine trees. Magnolia bushes had visible fuzzy buds waiting to open early in the spring.

Cheryl wrote this week about finding the first snowdrop in her English garden which is north in latitude compared to southern Ontario. The moderating effect of ocean currents on winter temperatures is significant. It will be several weeks before our early bulbs bloom in sheltered areas. For now we can admire the artful arch of dried up flower heads.

This deep winter garden is full of promise, awaiting the nudge of longer days and warmer temperatures to show us it is not dead, just in a deep slumber.

18 comments:

  1. That was a very nice post... I enjoyed seeing the beautiful snow covered plants...and the park bench waiting for spring.

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  2. I loved the way you captured the beauty of a winter garden.
    Blessings,Ruth

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  3. Anonymous8:40 pm GMT-5

    wonderful winter garden!

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  4. Really beautiful! I enjoyed your videos, too.

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  5. That bench looks inviting, but I think I'll pass until spring. LOL! I too remember my mother sending us children out every day to play. I loved it back then - in all kinds of weather. And there were so many other children (baby boomers) around in those days.
    Your winter garden is lovely.

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  6. There is such a JOY in getting out into the snow and playing! Here, in the southern United States, it's COLD right now, but no snow to enjoy. Thank you for sharing the beautiful photographs, Ruth! Stay warm! :~)

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  7. I love the idea of a sensory garden and thouroughly ejoyed the walk thru the park. Of course I'm warm saying that.
    The snow on the plants is a great contrast. Very nice captures.

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  8. You made the winter look quaint and pretty..as long as you were layered up...it was cold out...

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  9. I like that Ruth... not dead, just in a deep slumber. :c) There is always beauty to be found, regardless of the weather.

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  10. Yes, there IS a certain beauty about snow and ice. And you captured it perfectly. Lovely winter garden.

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  11. Love the snow/plant patterns; there is much beauty out there in winter. I have lots of snow and cold weather gear brought with me from the move here from Alberta. My van even has a block heater in it, so I'm good to go no matter what!

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  12. It's amazing how gorgeous a garden can still be under snow. Your pictures are marvelous!

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  13. Perhaps it does not quite have the color of blooming flowers, but the snow still carries with it great beauty.

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  14. I'd rather not be out in -20C weather, I don't like it much colder than -15. We have skied in -20 and colder but I'm too old and crotchety for that now! LOL I like the sunny, warmer days like today is shaping up to be. -5C here this morning.

    Your pictures are lovely, as usual. I really like the one of the unknown plant.

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  15. Whenever I see the earth covered in snow, it seems hushed....a quiet descends.....it always looks so peaceful.....I loved the photograph of the seedhead.....

    I realise I am definately getting old when you talk of youngsters being out in -20 and in the night air. Perhaps many years ago but now I would rather be sitting in front of a warm fire....

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  16. Anonymous6:38 am GMT-5

    Was that the real reason my mother made us go outside for 2 hours everyday? All along I thought that it was we were all getting on her nerves(LOL). Well, I must thank her, because now I love being outside and most days it's more then 2 hours.

    I love these pictures. Snow hanging onto tree branchs and leaves are so beautiful. It's amazing how they can stand up to the heaviness of the snow. The one picture looks like green cookies with white icing. Almost good enough to eat.

    For us Ruth, it has been bitterly cold these past 4-5 days with our minus 29 temps. But all that means is a third layer of clothes.

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  17. Thanks for all your comments. We received another 15 cm (6 inches) of snow today and it is still falling. I would have trouble finding this garden tonight! At least the weather has warmed up a little.

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  18. Your garden photos are pretty Ruth--even covered in snow.
    Even when it's really cold, we notice a big difference in the toleration factor that's based on how hard the wind is blowing (I'm not a fan of windchill at all!)

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