{"id":7786,"date":"2012-02-12T23:17:00","date_gmt":"2012-02-13T04:17:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2020-08-13T18:21:35","modified_gmt":"2020-08-13T22:21:35","slug":"weekend-in-winter-garden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardern.co.za\/2012\/02\/weekend-in-winter-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"A Weekend in the Winter Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"
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HARDENBERGIA VIOLACEA, AND AUSTRALIAN VINE ONCE COMMON IN OLD GREENHOUSES IN NEW ENGLAND, IT WAS BROUGHT BACK ON WHALING SHIPS IN THE LATE 18TH C., AND OFTEN WAS FOUND IN TURN-OF-THE-CENTURY GLASS HOUSES. ITS COLOR IS INTENSE, AND DIFFICULT TO CAPTURE WITH A CAMERA.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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\nThis has been an incredibly mild winter here in New England, and out lack of snow may end with the promise of a few inches today, but it is bitter cold – 8 deg. F. today, so clearly, it is still winter. But as St. Valentines day closes in – the date when I sense the shift in sun intensity, both outdoors and in the greenhouse, it is in the later space where suddenly, it begins to feel very April-ish. Thanks to the many tender shrubs, vines and bulbs from warmer parts of the world, that we now keep in terra cotta pots and large tubs. It may be snowing, but thanks to Australia, New Zealand, China and South America, there are plants that love these shorter daylight days, and these provide bloom and greenery throughout winter in the greenhouse. <\/div>\n
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\nWhen I built my greenhouse ten years ago, I asked to keep the floor open to the natural soil, mainly so I can plant woody shrub and trees right into the ground, making a sort of winter garden. The result is a winter garden, complete with the downside of muddy boots and sneakers, the soil floor makes the greenhouse very special, adding to the experience with the scents that gardeners crave, that of dirt and freshly pulled weeds. The soil floor also allows for lush clambering vines that twine and twist up the support system to bloom near the glass, and fragrant sub-tropical shrubs for the four corners of the world bloom as the snow flakes twirl beyond the thin glass. So, as I prepare to leave to New York City to speak and give a slide presentation at the HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK<\/a> Monday evening as a guest of the Manhattan Chapter of NARGS<\/a> ( come attend if you wish, check it out, here) I thought that I might share a few plants that are in bloom today.<\/div>\n