The year in photos

This year ended on such an unexpected and sad note, that I really did not want to look back at it. But checking in on my favorite garden blogs suggested that looking at my gardening year would be a positive experience — and it has been. So thanks to all of you who posted about 2021 in your gardens.

JANUARY

I read more books this past year than in any other period in my life; even more than during 2020 which was a record-breaking reading year for me. I know this because I keep a record of everything I read during a given year. I bought a lot of garden books, more than are in this photo, but still haven't made my way through all of them.

FEBRUARY

2021 was also a record year for tree work in our garden. We had old and dying trees of various sizes removed during the year, along with pruning on an assortment of other trees. The garden is healthier and looks better after all the work. And the gardeners are happy to have discovered a great company to do this important work.

MARCH

Once March arrived the garden and I both came alive. One of the first Hellebores I ever bought, Royal Heritage Strain, was moved a few years ago and settled in with no problems. Always a thrill when that happens.

Equally exciting was this combination of Luzula 'Solar Flare' interplanted with snowdrops; an idea I adopted from Adrain Bloom's garden in the U.K. 

APRIL

This is the month that Mark began to disassemble the old ponds and connecting stream as the first step in turning them into symbolic water gardens with raked gravel. 

I will remember April as the month I spent covering and uncovering delicate plants; especially those that were injured by late frost the year before. It was a real slog, but worth the effort when everything bloomed as the season progressed. 

MAY

I went crazy buying plants, bulbs, and shrubs this past year. After going nowhere and hardly buying anything in 2020, I splurged and did not feel a bit guilty. Eventually I did feel exhausted, trying to get everything in the ground while we did a major redesign project as well. 

Our new water feature was put in place and filled this month and turned out just as we had imagined it. 

JUNE

Three other gardeners who all live on my side of town started our own little in-person garden social group with me. We met indoors and out at each others houses and gardens until Omicron put a stop to it. I think it may be time to do a group Zoom this month. We toured each other's gardens, answered questions, shared advice, books, websites and food.

Flowers were blooming and projects continued but the temps started rising and the rain disappeared. I can't complain about drought compared to many other spots in the nation. My water bill, however, is proof that we did not get our typical summer rainfall. 

JULY

We entered the home stretch of the pond redesign when the top layer of quartz chips were delivered. 

AUGUST

During the growing season, something lovely was always blooming in the garden. We were so focused on the pond project, however, that it dominated every week of the year: talking, planning, and doing the work. It was a thrill when Mark made two different rakes and was able to try raking patterns into the gravel. 

SEPTEMBER

We finally unveiled the pond with an open garden day on Mark's 75th birthday.

OCTOBER

If the Spring gave us late frosts, so did the autumn. The Toad Lilies (Tricyrtis) were spectacular. 

The Ginkgoes never got their full golden color before dropping, but the rest of the garden put on a glorious show of color. 

NOVEMBER

We ended the year as it began: Taking down another of the original trees planted when our house was built in the mid-1950s. A good-size Oak seedling has been growing in the maple's shadow. We're hoping that it takes off with  more space and light. 

DECEMBER

The mostly dead Arborvitae hedge, that Mark took out in the spring, was replaced with a cedar fence.

It was so warm and dry for most of December that I was able to cut Helleborus niger to bring indoors for Christmas vases. 

It's hard to know what 2022 will bring; but looking at the weather, politics and Covid, it's also hard to be optimistic. I'm looking forward to time spent in the garden and visiting your garden blogs to keep me sane. 

Comments

[Kris P]

Respecting that the year ended on an unbelievably sad note for you, what you and Mark accomplished over the course of 2021 deserves notice and applause. I'd forgotten how perfect your new water feature is. And of course the new dry pond is a magnificent creation. I'm sure your garden will bring you peace in the new year, whatever challenges it brings.

[Tracy]

I'm curious on what you thought of the book "Uprooted". I'm interested in it but on a very limited budget. I value your option on books. I read "Say Nothing" and was blow away.

My condolences on your loss.

[Linda Brazill]

TRACY — I liked it, but more because I had read her earlier books and followed her earlier garden. Now they've moved and have a big property with lots of woodland and wetland they are trying to restore. They moved partly because where they lived was becoming too expensive; but it still appears they are well off. I also was interested to see what they would/could do for reasons of age since I am in my 70s.
I would see if you could find it at the library or go on Amazon and see if you can read a bit of it to get a sense of it. 
Did you read "Empire of Pain" about the Sacklers and opioids by the same author as "Say Nothing?" I got about halfway through it and gave up.

[Kristin]

Linda,

I gave up on "Empire of Pain" about halfway through too. I just couldn't keep reading through the court cases. I hate not to finish a book when I've gotten that far, but am glad to hear I'm not the only one!

[danger garden]

The gravel "pond" looks like it's always been there. You two certainly kept busy!

[Susie at pbmGarden]

The gravel pond looks so safe and welcoming. I hope you find respite there and within. Best to you in 2022!

[Frank]

I forgot how nicely the pond renovation turned out, it really looks great.
You've been very busy. All the best for 2022!