“All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey,” from the classic California Dreamin’ song, seems such an apt description of winter here in New England. Indeed, winters here can be so harsh that many of us feel the need to flee to warmer climes for some tropical respite! But, all is not as bleak as one may think, because upon taking a closer look the landscape is filled with myriad exclamation points of green.
The color green symbolizes life. It’s the first color we notice in spring as tiny green leaves begin to unfurl on trees and shrubs; it’s the color of early flower bulbs just poking through the warming soil of our gardens; it’s the color of lawns and fields turning verdant again. Green is the color of renewal and rebirth and yet remains with us year round, even in the dead of winter.
The old German song, Oh Tannenbaum, expresses our love of evergreens perfectly:
“Thy leaves are so unchanging
Not only green when summer’s here,
But also when it’s cold and drear.
Such pleasure do you bring me!”
It always amazes me just how much green can be found in the cold and stillness of winter! The most well-known of the evergreens here is the Eastern White Pine with its towering straight trunks and canopies of green branches that reach towards the sky. They are so abundant that the fresh fragrance of pine permeates the air! There are also hemlocks and spruce with their more familiar, Christmas-tree shapes. Large rhododendron shrubs grow closer to our homes, their fattening buds just waiting for warmer weather. On the coldest days, the leathery leaves curl up to protect the shrubs from moisture loss and serve as a visual warning that we need to bundle up before heading outdoors!
Smaller evergreen shrubs also dot the winter landscape. Pieris already sports sprays of tiny flower buds in readiness for spring. Mountain laurels remain a dark, shiny green along with spiky hollies. Some azaleas keep their purple-bronze leaves, providing a bright spot of contrasting color. At ground level, blue-green vinca shines along the edge of the road while velvety mosses abound on rocks and shaded paths. Last but not least are the few tough perennials that remain green in our flower gardens – heucheras, lamb’s ears, iris, and ajuga.
Where there is green, there is life! And the color green is never more appreciated than in the dark months of winter when it reminds us that the promise of spring lies just around the corner!
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The view of your pond seems just so beautiful to me, Nancy, and I can imagine the sound of the rushing water. It’s such a long time since the creeks we’re running here, nearly two years, I would think, so to have water in your garden as you have seems wonderful to me! The sunlight shining through the trees is creating lovely shadows on the grass. So pretty.
Thank you, Jane! The pond and old mill are actually next door to our property, close enough so that we can hear the rushing water. I am constantly drawn to its everchanging beauty! All year round, people stop by to take photos and I’m no exception.
Where there is water there is life. The trees might shed their leaves, but looking out and seeing or hearing the sounds of running water is so serene.
Beautiful pictures!