Winter in the Shade Garden January 6, 2013

 Winter has completely set in.  All the leaves have fallen.  I haven't raked them up yet.  This is the first time I've been to the farm in several weeks.  Leaves are covering all the beds.  The only green in the Shade Garden is coming from the Columbine, the Holly Fern. the Mahonia, and the Ligularia.  Next weekend I will rake.  I won't cut away the dead debris until the end of February because it helps the plants get through the winter by insulating them from the cold and the wind.