In the winter garden many plants have taken a step back. The mint has diminished. The lemongrass has eased off. The oregano has retreated. The basil is barely there, just a few green sprigs on sparse stems.
Yet some plants are gearing up and ascending, doing their part to bring about the constant change that occurs in the garden, even in the middle of winter.
Broad bean flowers peek out amongst folded leaves. They’re quintessentially winter, a bouquet for the cooler months. Their energy and optimism is like that of a musical conductor, encouraging the surrounding growth. Sugar snap pea stems gather momentum. Daffodil leaves stand tall in a stripey row, having appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Sweet pea plants veer to one side, their softness making their leafy mass tumble. In time they’ll grow longer and ascend the bamboo stake.
Small bursts of winter flowers keep the garden theatre humming. Amidst the quietness there’s bright marigolds, enthusiastic lavender, a peppering of perennial basil and colourful violas…the more you look the more you find. While the flowers are less profuse in winter they’re still there, it’s just having the expectation that you’ll find them.
All around the garden expectation persists, steadily growing.