Our winter here in Atlanta has been rather mild for the most part…..our low of 26 Saturday morning being the coldest this season. All over town I see Daffodils and Okame cherries bursting forth with blooms; Lenten roses and Mahonias and Camellias are brightening landscapes with color. If you have never enjoyed the heavenly fragrance of Winter Daphne, well…..put that on your garden bucket list; Daphne puts Gardenia and Magnolia to shame! Forsythia (yellow bells), flowering Quince, and Japanese Magnolia are full with swollen buds which should make an appearance with our next streak of 60 degree days.
All of this rambling to say that winter need not be a neglected season in your landscape. Natchez Crape Myrtle, with its cinnamon-hued bark, adds real beauty in a time when many trees and shrubs are gray and lifeless. Many of the Chinese hollies, especially Nellie Stevens and Emily Bruner, have outstanding foliage…..nearly black-green, shiny and dense….with abundant red berries that will feed ravenously-hungry birds on their northward journeys next month.
Please take a moment to notice these gems in the winter landscape near your home, office or school over the next weeks. If you long for some winter interest in your yard, give me a call and I will be happy to suggest ways to incorporate color and texture around your property.
Now is also the time to discuss and plan the next steps in the evolution of your landscape; a master plan can help us to identify the proper sequence of events to that end. If you want a better lawn, we may need to address drainage, irrigation and/or excessive shade before we can bring in topsoil and sod. If you long for an outdoor entertaining space, we might have to remove a few trees, install a wall, divert runoff from the downspouts, and install lighting wiring long before pavers or flagstone are installed. Here at Personal Touch, we have the experience and knowledge to help you achieve the outdoor look you desire; do not hesitate to call us for a free consultation.