A Warm Winter Day in the Garden: Observations and Plans

January in northwest Missouri is usually frozen and drab, but today the thermometer hit 65°F—a gift. I grabbed my notebook, camera, and dog Dixie (a Florida-born "Southern Belle") and meandered through the gardens, noting structure, survivors, and spring dreams.

Evergreen Anchors

The bones of the winter garden: eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Emerald Green'), and eastern red cedars (Juniperus virginiana). Cedars turn rust-red in cold; two hold blue berries through winter. One, near the kitchen window under a security light, catches snowflakes like sapphires on its boughs. I'll trim it—it's too close to the light, but I can't bear to remove it. Cedars reach 50 ft; pruning keeps them in bounds.

New Plantings: Miss Kim Lilac Hedge

Last summer I planted a curved hedge of 'Miss Kim' lilacs (Syringa patula 'Miss Kim') behind the magnolia garden. Hardy to –40°F, they'll reach 7 ft and form a solid wall of fragrant blooms—heaven on earth. They've weathered the cold beautifully.

Front Border: Spreading Yews

Taxus × media 'Densiformis' along the lattice fence dulled in the recent deep freeze but are hardy to –30°F. Their lush green returns in warmth. Good driveway border.

Lists, Lists, Lists

As the sun set, I compiled three lists: spring chores (numbered, daunting), changes per bed, and new garden/plant ideas. Noted cold tolerance—everything pulled through. The brown of winter feels less severe; my mood is lifted, and I'm already hoping for another warm day to walk and dream.