Trees with snow in my back yard

The snow has arrived and it is beautiful. Forget that you will have to shovel. Enjoy, instead, that snow is pristine. Enjoy the delicacy of the tiny flakes. Enjoy the way it falls on deciduous trees, illuminating their architectural structure and intricate tracery of the smaller branches.

Snow-covered spruce at the top of my east hill

Picea abies (Norway Spruce) with snow at the back of my driveway

Look at your conifers that seem to exult in being layered with snow. Of course, if you have put them into bondage (covered them with burlap), you will not be able to enjoy their beauty.

Snow covered Clematis ‘Sundance’ on my fence

Snow covered Sedum in my west bed

Look at your perennials and vines that have become sculptures because you didn’t cut them to the ground in November.

Hydrangea arborescens ssp.radiata deadheads covered with ice in my front yard

Ice covered Eryngium ‘Blaukappe’ deadheads in my west bed

Ice-covered Spiraea ‘Magic Carpet’ on my west hill

Ice-covered Acer palmatum in one of the back beds

Eventually, as the snow melts but the temperatures fall again, some of that snow will turn to ice, Be careful out there but take time to appreciate the special beauty in ice-encased rose hips and deadheads.

Heuchera ‘Glitter’-plantagogo.com

When the snow melts enough that you can see the ground, there will be perennials with color remains throughout the year. One that is particularly pertinent to this time of year is Heuchera ‘Glitter’.

Champagne-clipartreview.com

As the new year approaches, I think of glitter and confetti and bubbles, particularly those of Champagne, all of which are festive. Did you know that one of the least expensive but excellent sparkling wines (can’t be called Champagne unless it comes from France) is Gruet from New Mexico of all places, named for the family that produces it?

Happy New Year everyone!