Happy Tuesday and the last day of January, dear friends! Can you believe tomorrow is the first day of February?
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”
Psalm 143:8
By February I begin thinking about springtime and the planting of seeds in the garden. I have found that photo journaling is the easiest way to keep me organized with what was planted and whether it was a success or a failure! Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I share my Winter Garden Journal!
To view the original posts, click the highlighted links.
In late fall of 2021, we planted bulbs in the cottage garden, daffodils and alliums! Both of them were successful! I enjoyed using the alliums for floral arrangements.
We had a late freeze last year and I was concerned the Kwanzan cherry tree was bitten, but the blooms were stunning. This spring tree is one of my favorites!
I also feared for our snowball viburnums! Both of them bloomed, but their blooms were smaller.
It was exciting to see all of our peonies bloom last year. Karl Rosenfield is an exquisite cut flower!
Apricot drift roses provide color and a delightful fragrance. They will probably be removed in late winter, and will be replaced by something that we haven’t yet decided upon!
Daylilies are easy to grow, produce beautiful blooms, and almost maintenance free! “Endless Beauty” is rose pink with a lemon ruffled edge!
We planted three corms of gladiolus in 2019! They have put on a beautiful show each year. They are an old-fashioned flower and remind me of my grandmother’s garden!
Cosmos was planted for the first time last year. We planted it in two different locations. This photo shows it behind the fence where we planted zinnias and wildflowers in a long raised bed. It was also planted in the cottage garden, but the wind wreaked havoc and we have no plans to plant it again! However, it is a great friend to bees and butterflies!
A peep into the cottage garden which was a work in progress last spring and summer!
We love sunflowers and planted them in three different locations last year! This is a favorite shot of a bee in flight, they love sunflowers!
Zinnias in the cottage garden with sunflowers growing behind the fence!
RM, the head gardener and hard working caretaker, will occasionally fly his drone to show the lay of the garden and pasture!
Zinnias are easily grown from seed and are perfect for the small cottage garden!
A snippet of zinnias, cosmos, and potted flowers in the Sunshine Cottage Garden!
The main garden is home to paniculata hydrangeas…limelights, vanilla-strawberry, and little lambs!
The central feature of the garden is a bronze statue that was once a fountain! I have had many questions over the years asking where it was found. The statue was sourced locally and came from an estate in Atlanta!
My Renaissance Man decided to enlarge the garden last year!
He expanded the fenced area and built a new arbor! I am not sure what his plans are…will there be flowers, or perhaps lawn bowling (lol)?!
The cottage garden is completely barren during winter.However there have been a few bulbs emerging because of warmer weather. Last November tulips and muscari were planted. We shall see if daffodils and alliums will also emerge!
RM raised the height of the raised beds last fall to accommodate more soil!
I am hoping the cottage garden will be more beautiful than last year as I try new flowers in the raised beds!
Thank you for your visit and gracious comments. Happy February sweet friends!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Pam, your gardening is always such an inspiration. Perhaps sometime you could give us some tips on container gardening, for those who may not have the same opportunities in space, time and talent!
Linda, my husband plants the containers always using good soil. We have to water the containers almost daily in our hot summer climate. Thanks for your suggestion. That is a good idea!
Beautiful! Would you mind sharing why you are getting rid of the apricot drift roses?
We have loved the drift roses, but the past two summers that underperformed and we haven’t been able to get rid of the black spots on the leaves. They also need a soil refresh.
Such a lovely garden, makes me want to order seeds and get going. But it is still too early to do that here. Our last frost date is well into April.
Thanks Carole. We sometimes have late
frosts, we never know!
Good morning, Pam! We are covered in over an inch of sleet and more is coming. Revisiting your beautiful blooms brightened my day and reminded me that spring isn’t far away. Your gardens are always breathtaking and belong in a magazine! I’m afraid we may have lost the majority of our hydrangeas and shrubs due to an early cold snap in the fall. Everything looks terrible, and we are just going to have to wait and see what survives. I love your idea of keeping a garden journal. I’m going to do that this year. Thanks for sharing your journal. Wishing you a wonderful day, dear friend!
Shannon, y’all take care. Sleet and ice are dangerous! Shannon, I hope your hydrangeas and shrubs survived, sweet friend!
Pam, that verse just filled my soul this morning. I keep a pictorial journal also along with a written journal. Seeing your garden blooms this morning was pure delight. Bob and I will leave these beautiful mountains and make our annual trip to Florida in February. Upon returning it will be almost time for the hellebores to bloom. Thank you for sharing this beauty with us.
Thank you, Dianne. Enjoy your time in Florida, dear one!
Pam, the pictures of blooming plants is the perfect treat for today; at the moment fog is so thick I cannot see out the windows! I love the drone shot of the Sunshine Cottage garden. That is such a great idea to gain perspective. An early morning walk with the pups shows I have a serious problem with honeysuckle taking over my big azalea bed. If anyone has an idea on how to get rid of it, please let me know! I dread wading into those bushes to start pulling it out bc all I can think of is snakes!!
Roxanne, Butch says it will require manual labor of pulling it out! Yikes, I would be terrified of snakes!
The weather is rain all week here!
This makes me yearn for Spring. One degree here this morning and snow after snow is piling up. Spending more time in front of the fireplace than I should. Thanks for the beautiful post.
Oh, that is cold especially with the snow. I would be in front of the fireplace, also! Stay warm and safe!
Pam your beautiful garden makes me smile. I am usually not one to have time fly but here in the Midwest with the cold and dark days we cannot wait for these next few months to move quickly. Your pics are always such an inspiration.
Thanks so much, Kris. We have had an unusual amount of cloudy days and rainfall. I am anxious to see sunshine!
Thank you Pam for the beautiful scripture and lovely photos this morning! In the 9th photo from the top, peeking into the cottage garden, behind the fence there is a marvelous tall plant with light blue flowers, what is it’s name? I hope it wood be able to grow here. We were minus 20 degrees yesterday. What a great idea to keep a photo journal! It was so nice looking at you journal this morning, thank you for sharing with us. 🌿🏵🌿
Sue, oh those temps are cold. Stay safe and warm.
The plant is a chaste tree also called a vitex. It grows into a small tree, but has beautiful blooms that are a blue/purple color. It is really hardy here and the bees love it!
Oh, how beautiful! I think the zinnias are my favorite. Just gorgeous! I am constantly amazed at all the colors our dear Lord created for us to enjoy. He is so good! May He continue to bless you all.
Thanks so much, Cheryl. Zinnias are one of my favorites!
It’s so fun to look back on the accomplishments in your garden, Pam. We’re seeing signs of the garden awakening a little early, but I already have my work cut out for me with a couple things that will need attention come spring. I hope to get things situated such that I’ll be in maintenance mode for the most part soon after. I think zinnias will also be in my annual plans.
Rita, I look forward to your garden updates this spring. Zinnias are always a win!
Pam, Your landscaping is gorgeous! I love all the beautiful colors. The cottage garden already looks so mature. Everything looks professionally landscaped. RM did a great job when making the planter boxes. We’re looking forward to this years plantings. We’re in the midst of an ice storm currently, so spring can’t come soon enough! Enjoy your Tuesday. Clara, ❤️
Clara, ice storms are terrible. Stay safe and hope you keep power on♥️
Cannot imagine your beautiful garden without the apricot drift roses…which inspired those in our garden… we love them…Thank you for the comforting scripture and wonderful photo journal. You and RM have created a corner of the world so Eden-like and inspiring. This frigid Winter has left us wondering about the
survival of some of our delicate plantings. We shall see. There will be a chorus of Alleluias from your fan
club when Spring springs forth and your exquisite gardens emerge….
Mary, are you getting ice and sleet? Please take care and stay safe. Our apricot roses have not done so well the past two summers.
Just wonderful… I love your stunning garden and the beautiful Bible verse. Balm to the soul…
Thanks sweet Maristella!
I always enjoy a stroll through your garden Pam! I adore the bee in flight photo and I would love to plant some sunflowers this year other than the ones that volunteer from the birds and squirrels! Happy Tuesday ♥
Thanks so much, Mary. I hope you plant sunflowers, they are my happy flowers♥️
Oh I am ready to get those gardening gloves on! Looking at these beautiful pictures make me long to dig in the dirt! You and Butch always have the most beautiful gardens. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you, Cindy. Hugs and blessings, dear one!
Your gardens are always a joy to see! We have had a long winter with colder temperatures and rain. It’s okay as the desert loves rain. But I would enjoy warmer temps. So seeing your beautiful flowers makes me happy!
How I need my pictorial journals along with my written journals… it helps me to remember too! Glad to know you do the same!
Happy February to you!
Happy February, sweet friend. We have been in a kind period of dark and cloudy days with lots of rainfall!
Your gardens are beautiful! Love the new area by the Cottage. Daisies would be pretty on the side and cone flowers. The wind shouldn’t bother them too much. You guys are at least two months ahead of us with spring! You live in a really beautiful area!
Thank you, Liz. I have always loved daisies and that would be a great place to plant them!
Your gardens always dazzle me, Pam. I know how much work even a small plot takes so I am a bit overwhelmed with what I know has to be a massive effort to cultivate such a haven. Bravo.
Thanks so much, Jeanie!
Pam, I love this post. I will miss my snowball bush this spring.
Thanks dear one. You may have some sweet surprises at your new home when spring arrives!
A few days of freezing temps ruined our Houston yard and I am fearful for Maine as this week there are several days of below zero. Temperatures. Crazy, crazy weather for gardens.
Hopefully, flowers will return!
One can only dream to have a garden like yours!!!
Shirley, you are so kind!
How wonderful to see a dream garden. I think this is the longest, coldest winter I can remember having in a very long time. I so needed to see what a garden and flowers even look like! I did go out and serch for any signs of life below the soil, I report. nothing yet!
Nonie, it is so good to hear from you. Take care of yourself, dear one!
Pam you have a beautiful garden. Seeing the Gladiolas bring back happy memories. Every year for my twin sister Marilyn and I on our birthday we would wake up on our special day
to discover a vase of Gladiolas on the table. Dad would get up early and go to the florist and have the pretty surprise waiting for us to discover it.
Have a great week-end
Marilyn,Joan and Marion
Thanks so much for sharing your sweet childhood memories, Marion!
A delightful Spring walk through your garden rooms Pam.
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer 💖
Thank you dear one. I am eagerly awaiting spring that is still a few weeks away!
wow, photo journaling is such a terrific idea when it comes to gardening, Pam. you guys are so organized, creative, and energetic. i am always inspired when i come here. thanks for such an inspiring post, pointing to spring and all the good things that await us outdoors.
Thanks so much, Linda!
I always enjoy visiting your garden, the Sunshine Cottage, or your dining room, to see what loveliness you’ve created for the current month! Today’s photo-tour brought a bit of summer-respite into the cold and clouds of February. Thank you, Pam! P.S. Do you ever have brides ask to use your picture-perfect garden for their ceremony?!
Pam, wow – what a great idea to keep a photo journal. Your gardens are gorgeous! I’m so glad the viburnum and Kwanzan cherry survived the frost. RM’s new fence and arbor are just perfect. I can’t wait to see what’s in the Sunshine Cottage garden this year. Wishing you a lovely week!
Kim, thank you so much. Gardening is work but rewarding!
What a beautiful reminder that spring is on the way, in the not TOO distant future! I just love your gardens. And, of course, your amazing photos. Your gladiolus picture made me smile. We had a lot of them around our deck at our previous house. We had picked up some gladiolus bulbs at the dollar store and planted them, not expecting much. They were amazing! I still miss them.
Thanks so much, Pam for your gracious comments and for sharing your memories!
P.S. I’m happy to say I’ll be featuring this at Thursday Favorite Things today at 10:00 Central Time. 🙂
Thanks so much for the feature!
What beautiful eye candy for a bleak time of year! It’s so good to remember that, as Roethke says, “Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light.”
Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Thanks so much, Richella!