Gail's Garden - Winter Gardening 2009

Wow! Isn’t this a great season of fall color which we are enjoying! Just back from a ride on the bike trail between Graton and Forestville: red and gold vineyards, flaming liquid ambars and maples, burgundy berry leaves, even the apple trees are beautiful in rust and umber tones. All the berries are luscious: pyracantha, toyon, and cotoneaster, and I especially enjoy seeing shiny, round rose hips decorating the green foliage of the shrub roses.

I hope you will be able to join me for a class on decorating for the holidays with items from your own garden: the class is on Saturday December 12 at 10:30 am at Bassignani’s Nursery in Sebastopol (1841 Gravenstein Highway South). It’s all free, just bring some greenery to share: redwood, cedar and pine are always great, but don’t be afraid to be different! Magnolia and eucalyptus leaves are great, and I think live oak would be fun too. I made a wreath for my front door this Thanksgiving using acacia tree branches: a lovely soft, feathery green, they have tiny bead-like buds at the branch tips. They look lovely combined with rose hips and the colorful leaves of Chinese pistache. At the class I will be teaching you how to make your own wreath form with grapevines, and how to decorate it. I will also demonstrate some different and fun ways to make centerpieces for your holiday table and swags for the doors or stairways. I hope to see you there on the 12th!

Looking for a great gift for the gardener on your list? Call me for a gift certificate for Garden Coaching! For just $50 you can purchase your friend an hour of my time in their own garden, where I will demonstrate pruning techniques, share plant care and maintenance tips, and make design suggestions for a more enjoyable garden setting. This is a very personal gift, which I tailor to the needs of each individual and their garden: sure to make your friends happy and more successful gardeners! Call me today at 829-2455, and I will mail a certificate direct to you or your friend in time for the holidays.

Upcoming Garden Events:
FREE classes on Saturdays at Bassignani’s Nursery in Sebastopol:
Holiday Decorating from the Garden: bring some greens to share as
We create wreaths, swags, and table decorations!
December 12, at 10:30 am
Coming on January 16th: Rose Pruning Workshop
FREE ROSE PRUNING LESSION including spraying and rose care will be given on Saturday, January 2nd and 9th 9AM – 12PM at the Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center located at 2050 Yulupa Ave., Santa Rosa. The free lessons will be sponsored by the Redwood Empire Society, for more information please call (707) 545-2872

Do you have a gardening question you would like to ask? Or a photo to share?
Send your questions and photos (jpg) to bluehilldesign9@aol.com.