Dream Homes - Winter 2007 - (Page 19)

Bergmann said. As a rule of thumb, you should water the root zone thoroughly with warm water approximately every other week. And of course the containers should drain properly. “Remove the saucers and slightly elevate your heavy clay pots with shims or flat stones, and consider lining them with recycled packing sheets or rigid foam insulation to moderate the effects of freeze-thaw on sunny winter days,” Bergmann advises. And it’s not just the plants that will add color to the gray skies of winter, but the containers themselves should be worth looking at. Like well-made patio furniture, durable and attractive containers exude quality and can be used for many years to come. Bergmann advises his clients to use natural materials like clay, matte-finish ceramic, stone, or wood – even rusted iron – when selecting containers or garden ornaments. During the winter months, ornaments and containers can be moved inside to bring the feel of the garden indoors. garden bench in the foyer, while others might strategically place a few mossy pots mixed in with their houseplants. During the growing season, Bergmann suggests preserving hydrangeas, roses, and several types of perennials by cutting, bundling, and drying them upside-down in a dry garage. Bergmann uses these garden treasures to help keep his clients’ houses looking vibrant during the bleak winter months. Holiday decorating also presents a great opportunity to use natural materials and nature-inspired ornaments. When decorating inside for the holidays, Bergmann suggests festoons of freshly cut evergreens and boxwood, tabletop topiaries covered in preserved leaves, or a sculptural tree branch adorned with clear and frosted glass ornaments hanging like icicles. “By abstracting nature inside the house, we awaken our sensibilities and remember the larger garden that surrounds us,” Bergmann said. Another unique element of Craig’s design style is the use of antiques and unusual found objects. From centuries-old imported garden statues to quirky folk art, Bergmann is always shopping and uses his own inventory to personalize his clients’ gardens and homes. A recent discovery of 19th century millinery trim included an array of artificial fruit originally manufactured to adorn ladies’ hats, but used to fashion stunning holiday centerpieces and velvet-ribboned nosegays for hallway tables or sideboards. Light up the Night Holiday entertaining can be spectacular, but about mid-winter, most Chicago area residents really long for some festivity and cheer. Winter lighting helps add depth and dimension to the landscape, especially when daylight hours are short. Bring the Outdoors In No matter your decorating style, there are always places to bring the garden inside the home. For some, it’s a weathered “Too many people put away all of their holiday lights in early January, when they could leave a string or two to welcome guests throughout the remaining winter,” Bergmann said. For this purpose, Bergmann recommends traditional white lights, candles in glass containers, or luminaria to create a warm glow. Low-voltage garden lighting helps to dramatize garden plants during dark and chilly evenings. For a more dramatic effect, Bergmann hangs various-sized orbs of tied twigs with tiny white lights from the branches of deciduous trees and tall shrubs. Strings of white lights covered in twig-fashioned globes (often sold as patio lighting), can be used for smaller-scale applications. “The important thing is to use natural materials and a restrained approach whenever you can,” Bergmann said. “Garish plastic ornaments and multicolored lights really look out of place after the holidays.” So, whether it’s using garden containers for winter displays, bringing weathered containers and garden objects indoors, or lighting up the garden in the bleak midwinter, Chicago area residents can keep their gardens looking as good as ever, even during the doldrums of winter. D Written by Scott Mehaffey, Craig Bergmann Landscape Design / Photos by Linda Oyama Bryan H DREAM HOMES 19

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Dream Homes - Winter 2007

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