The new year is upon us, with all the hopes, dreams, and reflections it holds. The holidays were packed with travel and the joy of family time, giving me more than one extra shot of energy. Here we are with our four beautiful grandsons, including the newest arrival, little Davy, born December 1.
Looking back at the 2023 garden, the word that sums up Coppertop would be “maintenance”. I added very few new plants, with the exception of all I grew down in the vegetable garden and annual flowers, mainly in pots on the deck. Instead of focusing on changing things, Hubby and I made efforts to keep the garden maintained and flourishing, while fine-tuning some of our upkeep procedures. Turns out we have plenty of plants to take care of. Ha!
Exceptions to “no new plants” were a couple shrubs we selected in the spring to fill gaps along the gravel stairway: Sambucus racemosa ‘Lemony Lace’ and Fothergilla ‘Mount Airy’.
A summer hardscape addition was a simple cedar bridge over the stream, necessary because our old bridge was crumbling away.
This week I’m still planting a few remaining tulip bulbs, always in pots for best protection from hungry squirrels. My tulip orders this fall showed a return to the oranges, purples, and whites I have found so striking here.
I also need to plant a few 4″ pots of Meconopsis ‘Lingholm’ I purchased in the fall to freshen up my large wine barrels of the same. Snow is in the forecast for the end of this week, so there’s no time like the present.
The greenhouse is virtually empty except for some herbs, the seed trays are clean and ready, and the new gardening year awaits!
Gardens at Coppertop 
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