I like the way the Steven Still Garden looks in the winter. The serpentine path of stepping stones are more visible. The coloring is so different without the surround of green leaves. The bare bones of the garden reveal the structure. (view from 3rd floor Howlett Hall on The Ohio State University campus - front porch roof intrudes)
There needed to be a way to enter the garden for maintenance - pruning, planting and replanting. Virginia tended the garden and worked to achieve a pathway providing access for maintaining the garden. Others could wind their way through for a closer look, if desired.
Michael helped Virginia install the stone pathway in December of 2007.
In mid January 2008, the colors glow in the melting snow. The red twigged dogwoods have set the garden on fire with the appropriately named Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire.'
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light' are the tall blond grasses that catch the sunlight. The fluffy plumes of maturing seedheads persist in the winter to highlight the garden during the day and night. (January 2008 photo)
March 24, 2008 - the dogwood colors intensify.
Other remarkable colors...
Hamamelis xintermedia 'Girard's Purple' Witchhazel (Nov. 2008)
Hydrangea quercifolia 'Sikes Dwarf'Oakleaf Hydrangea (Nov. 2008)
The Arkansas Amsonia - Amsonia hubrichtii is a golden yellow feather duster to the bicycle posts which are unfortunately installed at the northern edge of the garden. Don't get me wrong, I like bicycles, but this arrangement creates a visual clutter next to the garden in front of this building. There are more convenient placement spots nearer the buildings. Who would have thought that this former piece of square turf with rounded corners would have evolved to such a lovely garden. No one knew so someone probably thought, let's put the bicycle parking along here.
