Walking though your garden can be a wonderful tactile experience.
Like a cashmere sweater or a fuzzy fleece in a clothing store, it’s almost impossible for me to walk past these plants without touching them. Even prickly things, like the center of a coneflower, make me want to connect. (“Let me see if I can touch it so softly that it doesn’t hurt!”)
We’re always focused on how a garden looks, especially when we’re perusing beautiful photos, but when we’re in the physical space, the smells, sounds, textures and even tastes elevate our experience to another level.
Hellebores are a wonderful plant for the DC area! They provide green foliage year-round, beautiful blooms in winter and early spring, and the deer don’t seem to touch them!
There is so much wonderful foliage right now I can hardly stand it, but one thing I keep seeing around my neighborhood is the Staghorn Sumac. Ranging from deep red to orange and bright yellowy-green, the pinnately compound leaves just jump out against the landscape. I always notice this up and down I-95 in the fall, with the fruits especially showy in winter when the leaves have dropped. Sumac can become the size of a small tree over time. Love this plant!