GARDEN SPOT: Beat the Winter Blues

It’s official; the grey beast winter has settled in for a stay in our Capitol Hill gardens. Perhaps the visit will be fleeting, or it may be extended. Whatever the case, one thing is for certain: the winds have been whooping, and the temperatures are on the decline. Our gardening tasks are on hold, and there is frightfully little we need to do except allow our garden to rest up for next month’s explosion of life and color.

What to do during such an uneventful month? Well, in case you have not left the Hill lately, we live in a city that is one of the most garden friendly in the nation. In fact even with the decline of the tree canopy in Washington, we still enjoy a very green city. During the month of February, although there are little or no flowers, the landscape is still very beautiful and very alive. Washington’s daytime temperatures usually rise to the mid 40s allowing us to take a day trip through one of the many green friendly spots in the city. This can be the perfect tool to catapult winter back north and fill you with anticipation of the coming spring.

One of my favorite day trips begins where Independence Avenue, Rock Creek Parkway and Memorial Bridge collide; goes up Independence Avenue, under the arches of Department of Agriculture through the Smithsonian castles’ Enid A. Haupt gardens; and ends at the US Botanic Gardens Conservatory. The journey is filled with great landscaping, wondrous architecture and ample garden inspiration. Even in the depths of winter, the trip along Independence Avenue is a great example of how we can have a garden that has four-season beauty.

Memorial Bridge to the Tidal Basin
This area will be overrun with tourists in search of the perfect cherry blossom in several weeks. It is quite different in February. The walk from the grand gilded horses at the foot of Memorial Bridge, through the soaring elms along Independence, to the quiet ghost-like cherries deep in their pre-spring slumber, can be one of the best winter walks in Washington. The traffic of Independence Avenue quickly slips away as the visions of atlas cedars, and great white barked sycamores take even the most novice gardeners to a place where garden dreams unfold and bloom.

The rear of the Lincoln Memorial is an evergreen wonderland with sprawling hollies and yews creating giant stationary green clouds that seem to be hugging and softening the strong columnar lines of the memorial. The giant atlas cedars on the north side of the Memorial Bridge are magnificent. These trees are both structurally domineering and surprisingly delicate. The large staircase in the center of Memorial Bridge will remind you that we live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There is a feeling of vastness and wonder as you look across the river to Virginia while being surrounded on both sides by beautiful gilded horses and their keepers. The walk across the circle and around the outskirts of the Lincoln Memorial and on to Independence Avenue is a quick departure to one of the roundabouts in Europe. Then the flow down and under the massive Elms along Independence takes you to a time and place where recessions and wars are a distant thing of folklore. This ends at the massive grove of American sycamore with their white and fawn peeling bark and the Washington Monument in the background – simply majestic. A stroll across Independence takes us to the tidal basin and the stark beauty of the cherry trees. During the winter these trees seem ghostly yet beautiful with their crooked, contorted, gnarly boughs. Our journey now continues up Independence and through the grand arches of the Department of Agriculture and on to the grounds of the Smithsonian Institution’s Enid A Haupt Garden. This is on of the best examples of a formal, flowing English-inspired garden. The lawns and plantings are well coordinated yet not contrived. There are plants and trees that have a prominence and beauty even in the depths of winter. Don’t miss the fountain that has been decked out for the season with beautiful blue glass in its bowl and stark white willow boughs in its upper tiers. This artistic touch is a great example of garden whimsy.

US Botanic Garden Conservatory
Our day trip is drawing to a close but we have saved the best for last. Nestled below the US Capitol grounds is the grand glass house. Wow, what a great place to end our journey. Before going in, take the time to stroll the grounds of Bartholdi Park across the street to see the splendor of a great garden in the midst of winter. The elms and rock gardens juxtapose in an unlikely display of the great and small joys of gardening. The winding paths lead you to many of our favorite perennials now in their winter beauty. This great garden has the structure and form needed to be beautiful in any season.

Now we move on to the conservatory. This greenhouse is filled with enough green splendors for a day trip unto itself. Most of the plants contained within are not winter hardy to our region. However, with the popularity of container gardens you will want to break out your note pad and make plans for your best container garden this spring. There are desert areas and tropical rooms, the grand palm house is magnificent and simply the best place to blow away those winter blues. Take your time and wonder or plan you day around a tour. The month of February is filled with classes and activities for every gardener (check the Hill Rag calendar for a schedule, call 202-225-1116, or visit www.usbg.gov). Please call ahead to learn the details of the tours and classes offered and any pre-registration requirements. Enjoy!