Thus far its been a confusing spring. Late to start and lingeringly cold with the odd day of unseasonable heat, its been downright disorienting to me. It is not as though I’m averse to the new and unusual but, I do look forward to the reassuring rhythm of the seasons. The unfolding of the seasons is the backdrop to my activities. I like knowing what to expect when. Like lily-of-the-valley in early to mid May, early peonies and roses for Memorial Day, lilacs in bloom for Mothers Day, dogwoods for Fathers Day and so forth.

Not this year. Matters are a bit topsy-turvy. I didn’t mind that the tulips began a little late because they then lingered long enough to hangout with the alliums and camassias. But where were the baptisia and amsonia to bring their blues into the palette? The roses should be making their debut by now; so what happened? Meanwhile, the dogwoods in my neighborhood have long finished blooming. Its disconcerting to say the least. Even more bizarre was the firefly that flitted around inside my house last night. Out of place and time. This has me totally perplexed. As we confront climate change, there is certainly going to be much to adjust, discover and learn anew.

The one tree peony in my garden usually has top heavy flowers in early May. This year, its only just in bloom. Because they are weighty double petaled beauties, they hang down. The best way to gaze at their magnificence is to cut them and bring them indoors. The added bonus is that they have a spicy fragrance that greets me each time I pass them them by. Makes me pause and take notice which is just enough to remind me to breathe, relax my body and then carry on with the daily busy-ness. This plant , which I think is a Paeonia ‘Hakuo-Jisi or a ‘Souvenir de Maxime Cornu’, was a gift from Henriette Suhr of Rocky Hills. So its compelling call to literally “smell the peony” always reminds me of our cherished friendship.

A majority of the hydrangea did not leaf out on their stems as they normally do. Instead, leaves have emerged from the base of the shrub while the limbs have remained looking like dry sticks. I think the severe, long winter affected the stems but the roots were still strong. The new growth should come up nicely and all is not lost. I’ve cut back all the old, leafless stems. It’ll be interesting to see if these hydrangea bloom this year. I have sadly lost a few other shrubs that did not do as well as the hydrangea. If they will be replaced by the same type or something completely different is yet to be determined. I think a graceful period of mourning is in order.

The good news is that, for the most part, the plants are all coming up well. However slowly. The amsonia and baptisia are just beginning to display their moody blues. The roses have lots of buds so I’m guessing they will open in another week or so. The early peonies have begun their frothy show. And the clematis! They look particularly fetching this year. The alliums have lasted longer than usual in both the perennial beds as well as the meadow so, I cannot complain. There are even a couple of tulips still going strong – as though reluctant to leave the party.

The American wisteria is bud heavy and as always, I’m giddy with anticipation. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the weather does not heat up too soon. This would do in the buds and there’ll be a very sorry performance. No ticket reimbursement for this one.

I’m once again enjoying the pleasure of picking salad greens from the potager and serving up a delicious melange of lettuces, baby spinach, arugula and mustard greens with a sprinkling of chopped fennel and parsley. With toasted nuts, sliced strawberries, shavings of Parmesan and a balsamic dressing, its the perfect lunch to celebrate the season. Add a glass of crisp white and its a special event.

In the end, despite the not so normal pattern of growth in the garden, I’m learning to simply enjoy what unfolds. To be present for whatever reveals itself and learn to appreciate the new combinations of color that are really quite lovely. There is change afoot for sure. Perhaps its natures way of reminding me that She is the ultimate artist, gardener and teacher. I stand humbled.

Tulips with alliums

Camassias in the mix

Sea of blue in meadow

Clematis

Peony – Festiva maxima.
Unfolding itself.

Clematis #2

Buds in waiting. American wiisteria.

The frothy splendor of my tree peony.

Amsonia awakening

Baptisia just beginning to bloom

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As a gardener in the Northeast, I’m accustomed to having my seasons well defined. The pattern of the four seasons is comforting and instructs all my activities. Whether it be entertaining dinner guests ( I’d much rather we dined outdoors), taking vacation (summer), staying put (spring), house projects, taking time to focus on future plans (winter), having house guests ( preferably fall), visiting grandparents (winter) and so on. Of course, the garden is the best example of how much is dictated by the seasons.

So here we are in winter, the ground is frozen and covered in snow, fireplaces are blazing, heavy coats and winter gear are being put to good use and, my gardening self welcomes the respite from chores. However, the long, chilly months loom ahead and one begins to feel envious of those who live in warmer climes. While the snow and ice create spectacular visions, one can only spend so much time outside. Much better viewed from the confines of warm, cozy interiors. Thus, I start dreaming of beaches, rain forests, lakeside cabins and all places warm and sunny. Where the midday heat brings out the scent of roses and oregano. I crave the feel of grass between bare toes, the thrum of bees and even miss the discomfort of soil under my fingernails. Then, I wake up to reality and actually feel much better.

While I’m sitting with my feet propped up, dreaming of perfect gardens and catching up on my reading, my fellow gardeners in those sizzling locales are still working in the garden. They do not get a break. Achy backs and arms, rough hands, insect bites and dirty nails are theirs to have year round. Thats the penalty for all that mild weather. Plus, the spring bulbs and several perennials that are so utterly mandatory in my garden, are not genetically designed for the tropics. They demand a good, rollicking round of winter with snow and breath freezing cold. So there.

I’m happy to be exactly where I am and will contentedly pass these frigid days with grace and patience. And plenty of rest. It is awfully comfy right here, right now. The grass might literally be greener on the other side, but, only for the moment. Our turn cometh. All good things come to those who wait.

January

March

Still March

May

Still May

August

Still august

November

Still November

Of the two solstices and two equinoxes that we on earth are graced with each year, the winter solstice is most meaningful to me. It occurs full of promise and hope at precisely the right time. Just when we, in the Northern Hemisphere become aware that we are in for the long, cold, dark haul, the shortest day comes along. The sun is at its lowest elevation in the sky. That only means that from now on, the only way is up! One more minute of daylight added on each day. Now, that demands a celebration.

From time immemorial, mankind has observed this hibernal solstice with rituals and ceremony. Ancient cultures have passed on to us festivals and holidays. What a beautiful thread of human connection through the ages. As modern as we think of ourselves today, these passages of the sun still mark our seasons, determine when we sow our crops and how we live. All of life moves in concert with the sun.

The renewal of light and the approach of the new year fuels our human need to stay optimistic. The Romans referred to this solstice as Dies Natalis – the birth day of the sun. A birthday calls for a party. I like that. I, for one, will honor our humanity and rejoice in my humanness. My link to all those who came before me and my responsibility to those who are yet to arrive. On this sacred occasion, I reaffirm my pact to do right by nature and all who live here.

Bring on the feast, start the music, invite the world as together we light up a million candles and brighten the hearts of all.

December 21 is this Saturday. Celebrate!

Witness the majesty of the Sun:









The first five photos are credited to my friend and photographer Eleanor Oyen.
(c) 2013 Shobha Vanchiswar

December can be peculiar. It is seemingly about the holidays and the happy preparations for the celebrations but in reality, the month is fraught with stress and anxiety. The long, dark hours, the expectations, presents, decorations, cards, parties, weight worries, recitals, year end project completions, performance reviews, tips, cooking, teacher gifts, charitable giving, travel obligations/house guests, weather related problems … its so easy to be overwhelmed. Thankfully, the garden is not clamoring for attention. It is safely tucked in for the season.

Stop! Take a deep breath. Ask yourself why you have allowed yourself to get to this point. Yes, I said ‘allowed yourself’. Has the garden taught you nothing? The life lessons imparted all through the seasons? Permit me to remind you. Get yourself something warm and soothing to drink and read on.

The pact you make with Nature when you start the process of taming it to create your garden, involves:
Do No Harm – That holds for both garden and gardener. So, take on only that which is good for both. Organic, environmentally sound, Fair Trade, low carbon footprints are key words here. And, don’t take on more than you can handle. You’ll only make yourself sick and unhappy.
Think It Through – Don’t be impulsive, follow current trends or emulate others as you’ll have regrets. Just the way you do ( you do don’t you?) your homework before selecting and planting a tree, you must apply that same process to everything else.
Keep It Simple – Take on only what you can do for sure. Be realistic. Simple is clean, pure and elegant. Leave the bows, swags and fireworks to others.
Get Organized – By planning properly, a lot more will get accomplished and you would have allocated time to enjoy the season. Recall those times when the weeding and watering got done and you still had the time to read in the hammock amidst the hum of bees and chattering of finches. Channel that into your frenetic life.
Be True To Yourself – express your true self. Your taste, preferences and style are what makes you YOU. You plant the flowers and vegetables you like, you choose colors that sing to you, you got rid of whatever you didn’t like. Well, apply that to your life in general. You don’t have to throw a party, get a tree, send out cards and such. The party can wait for a time when there is less to do. Instead of a tree, promise that expense to a charity, send out thoughtful notes all through the year. Trust me, the people who really matter will understand and appreciate. Make no apologies for who or how you are. If you accept yourself, others will too.
Let It Go – Free yourself of your own and other people’s expectations. Reread Be True To Yourself above. Keep in kind that you do not have control over very much. So why burden yourself with what is beyond you?
Be Bold – Get out of that comfort zone and try something you’ve always wanted to do but were too hesitant/ shy/afraid to do. Think about how liberating it was when you ripped up the formal flower beds and made a cottage garden instead. Others were horrified but the slightly messy, blowsy look makes you endlessly happy. Whatever doesn’t work out can be remedied, redone, repaired or removed. The world will not end. Actually, the world will not notice.
Pay It Forward – You plant trees for future generations, use organic methods so all living things are safe, sow heirloom seeds so diversity and history are respected. Similarly, when giving gifts think about each individual and give them something that also benefits a larger population – membership to museums and botanical gardens, subscriptions to concerts, gift certificates to local nurseries and other local businesses. Low on money? There is no shame in that. Offer services like a home-cooked meal in January, pet/baby-sitting, helping with weeding in the spring, teaching a skill, fixing a problem like a leaky faucet or creaky door.
Be In The Moment – It is all you really have. Show up for it. Smell the rose when it blooms. Pick and savor the peach when it is ripe and warm from the embrace of the sun. Watch the fireflies every night of summer. This present moment will not come back. Live it well and it will nourish you forever. No regrets. You reap only what you sow.

Now, tell me, are you ready to change your mind about this holiday season? Exhale. Tone it down. Simplify. Own it. End this year on your own terms.

P.S. Give thanks to the garden for its constant guidance and solace.






(c) 2013 Shobha Vanchiswar