New Year’s Beech
Apricot leaves and buds of the great beech (Fagus grandifolia) that dominates the west garden give delicious color to our frozen landscape this first week of the new year. Well within Zone 7 minimum of 0F to 10F, we’ve been hoveringĂ‚Â in the teens at night for the last week, highs only in the 30’s.
Bathtub tap on low flow, electric blanket plugged in, wood fire burning, Zsa-Zsa and Milo’s water bowl inside – you know it’s winter in the hollow.
Zsa-Zsa lounges by woodstove.
This week will institute Beech Watch, through March and April when the leaves finally unfurl in a display that, to my eye, rivals the blossoming of the cherries as a symbol of spring’s beautiful regeneration. Stay tuned to see what I mean.
Hollow Beech in January
Look for Piedmont Landscape Association’s 32nd annual seminar on February 18, 2015, at The Paramount Theatre in Charlottesville, Virginia, (www.piedmontlandscape.org or www.theparamount.net), featuring noted landscape designer Julie Messervy, eco-edible forester Dave Jacke and divine tree hugger Joan Maloof.
Cut branches of honeysuckle bush (Lonicera fragrantissima), witchhazel (Hamamelis sp.), dogwood, redbud, pussywillow (Salix sp.), and any of the deciduous trees like oak, maple, and, of course, beech, to bring inside. Change the water weekly and watch them open up. It’s a miracle.
Beech Buds
Happy New Year.