St Peters RC Church Hamilton

Create a border of winter colour

Sufficiently bright to perk up duller weather!

Viburnum and skimmias add winter impact,

With the added bonus of scent, bound to attract.

Swathes of ethereal gorgeous grasses

Sparkle amidst frost, in a way that outclasses.

Colourful stemmed cornus are truly remarkable

Set against evergreen conifers, they are boldly identifiable.

Bergenias and heathers covering ground in their planting,

An array of rich colours readily, providing.

Then add to the welcome display

Flowers which add tone to everyday.

Aconites, winter pansies and helleborus,

Are rich.ly coloured to always delight us.

The key is not to be too timid,

Swathes of snowdrops should know no limit.

Do you want a notable shrub for February?

Look no further than to plant a Daphne.

Heavy snow, harsh wind and storms may play havoc ,

But still the winter is welcome when you enjoy the honeysuckle.

When you want one dominant shade to anchor the scene,

You cannot, will not beat conifer evergreen.

Some are variegated as in elaeagenus larve and ivy all hardy.

And a regular favourite of many is the shiny holly.

When days are dull go for a flash of sunshine,

The January to March flowering jasmine is especially fine.

Whilst a signature plant as a hedge or a tree

Is the chestnut, coppery beech, brightly bold to a degree,

Offsetting vibrant orange, buff, brown and tan.

You will be happy that winter colour began.

In cyclamen, ground cover there is marvellous magenta,

And a rich array of shades spruce up the centre.

Bright white, butter yellow, rampant scarlet of rich red,

Purple, pink and mauve light up the flower bed.

Winter colour in the border spread far and wide.

February is a month when God’s glory does not hide.

When the low wintery sun splashes the mix,

Your gaze will be held, lured, by a fix.

And even now, lest we feel we cannot let winter go,

The jaunty tops of narcissi already show.

Ferns, flowers and foliage all add up to winter colour,

Comparing and contrasting, each to make the other bolder.

What will follow we have yet to discover,

But rest assured the month of March will uncover.

For the Master Craftsman, the Lord God, the Creator

Is season by season a wonder Maker.

Just when you thought winter drab, deary and dull,

He fills your cup of delight to overflow, its so full.

Offer then thanks, and praise the winter wonder,

A time of outstanding, brave border colour.

Lord, I am learning to really enjoy winter, a season I used to be not at all fond of. But Your Spirit has opened my eyes to the wonder of winter colour, and that has made such a difference, thank You. I do like to

learn to see new aspects of Your blessing. Please keep me learning. Amen.

CATEGORY: (NATURE, Winter colour)