Willow Tree Gardens and Interiors Christmas Open House 2018

It's that time of year to deck the hall (and living room and kitchen, and seemingly any available space.)  Willow Tree Gardens and Interiors does a nice job of decorating for all seasons but at this time of year, they go all out, plants are moved aside, and Christmas takes center stage.  Come along and see what's glittering this year. 

The produce truck has been harvested, the plants cut to the ground but the glowing cotinus behind was glowing on a gloomy Saturday earlier this month.

Fothergilla's color made me wish I had space enough for one in my garden. 

Just the other side of the hardy outdoor display, you can see some of the trees, faint Fa, la, las could be heard.  It was tempting to stay on this side of the door and simply enjoy the fall splendor. 

The door beaconed, the music and fragrances of Christmas enveloped me and I found myself singing along with the songs.  Having sung the holiday for  so many years, I know every verse of every piece. Much as I try to fight it, these lyrics are part of who I am.  Throw in a few lights and some tinsel and I'm a mess of sentimental jello. (Especially when someone else does all the work.)

Adeste, fideles,  Laeti triumphantes,  Venite, venite in Bethlehem!

These always make me think of toilet brushes.  Joy to the world...

The skating scene in the original (1947) "The Bishop's Wife" 

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why...

Run, run, run as fast as you can.  You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. 

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!

There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found. 

Oh, the weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful, and since there's no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas.  Let your heart be light.

 We'll dress the house with holly bright and sprigs of mistletoe.
 We'll trim the Christmas tree tonight and set the lights aglow.
We'll wrap our gifts with ribbons gay and give them out on Christmas day.
By everything we do and say, our gladness we will show.
                                            Alfred Burt

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donder and Blitzen.  But do you recall...

When in the Eastern skies the wondrous star did rise and fill the earth with splendor, came birds in joyful throng to sound their dainty song in a carol sweet and tender.

Minuit, chrétiens, c'est l'heure solennelle

I'll have a blue Christmas without you. 

I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus...

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.

And lo, the angel of the lord came upon them and they were sore afraid.

We'll dress the table daintily, Our finest treasures use,
That all a-sparkle it may be And bright with lovely hues.
Then for the feasting we'll prepare a kitchen full of wondrous fare,
 That each from all the dishes rare, his fav'rite one may choose.

But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be on your own front door. 

Hope you have a calm and bright weekend.  

Nope, didn't buy a thing. (I know you were wondering.)

Willow Tree Gardens and Interiors Celebrates Autumn

On Saturday, we set out on a local nursery and pumpkin patch adventure.  Willow Tree  is always packed with great plants and interior decor and since it's so close to home, we started the day there. 

Yucca 'Color Guard' blushing pink.  Mine never do this, possibly because they need more sun. 

Time to plant pansies and kale for winter interest. 

I feel grateful to live in a climate where there are so many evergreen and winter blooming plants yet there is a feeling of melancholy at seeing these appear.

Ledebouria cooperi

Heuchera ‘Red Lightning’ is a favorite as it keeps these amazing colors year round.  

Gaulnettya 'Wisley Pearl' is a sweet thing that I've killed twice.  

There's still a bit of summer hanging in there. 

This Agave with no tag was a serious temptation.  It's the right size and shape  to be 'Sharkskin' but the white markings make me think it's maybe ferdinandi regis.  I may have to go back and investigate next weekend.

 Leonotis 

Let's step inside and try not to be frightened. 

There was even a discount section.

Here I am in the garden with the non gardener offering advice. 

Meanwhile, garden pal Alison is cutting back a few things.

Loree is still waiting for the new winter walls of the shade pavilion to be put up. 

Glass pumpkins. 

So much to see!

I used to decorate for Halloween but now just throw stuff out for autumn.

 I love the mixture of old and new in this place and feel right at home here. 

Another temptation but where would I put it? 

Not what one usually expects to see coming out of an incubator. Hatching a little fright?

Lurking in the back by the tools and fertilizer were these two nearly life-sized reindeer, a reminder that Willow Tree's big Christmas open house is not far off. 

My goal for the day was not to bring anything home.  So far, so good.