The Winter Solstice and the traditional Holiday season are a time for gathering and nesting. During this time, small hibernating mammals conserve energy to survive adverse weather conditions or lack of food, while non-migrating birds feast on winter berries, and human city dwellers are out celebrating. The Christmas 2022 gardens featured elements of winter riverine habitats and native plants, while also drawing in visitors with lights and natural sculptural elements. Large woody debris “rewilding” rapidly restores biodiversity in riverine food webs, as well as provides a habitat in woodland environments, especially for the Northern Cardinal, Dark-Eyed Junco, and White-throated Sparrow.

 

The deep red color of ilex berries complemented the red and yellow branches of the cornus, which accented sculpturally throughout the beds.  A continuous green sea of Microbiota was planted across the pathways to mimic and expand the appearance of water across the gardens. Branches of betula formed crossways over the water features of the garden, as though they had fallen across a stream in the forest. Icicles dripped from the branches where birds also pitched in the winter sun. From mid-November 2022 to mid-January 2023, the Christmas gardens showcased pine trees, winterberry, autumn fern, American moss, Massachusetts bearberry, rhododendrons, and more.