Is a true, green thumb gardener really ever happy with their landscape?

It's not like philosophers have been pondering this question for eons. Plato and Aristotle had deeper subjects to consider, and the ancient Greeks were somewhat limited with their plant selection. You can only do so much, probably, with olive and almond trees. The Babylonians with their hanging walls had a deeper breath of available trees, shrubs and flowers, but it's doubtful if anyone sat up hours contemplating the extent of moving this plant here and shifting that one over there.

Gardening has changed in the last 400 years. Plant exploration started the ball rolling especially as large wooden ships sailed the seven seas and crews got stranded, or stayed behind. Lately, plant breeding and genetic manipulation have produced colors, sizes and shapes to fit just about every situation.

So, now it's January, somewhat cold outside and maybe with snow on the ground at your home. Obviously there must be a connection between one of the slowest gardening months and one of the important gardening topics. It's this. We spend more time looking at our landscapes from indoors than outdoors. I'm not sure of the percent, but in the winter it probably hits close to 75 percent. During the summer, it may drop down to 25-50 percent. Still, we spend lots of time indoors looking out, maybe to avoid the reality of dirty floors and dusty tables.

It's this, also. Most of us design our landscapes standing in the yard rather than the kitchen, living room, or bedroom window. The first point is in direct conflict with the second. Which brings us to winter.

There's probably no better time to stand at your window with a steaming cup of liquid refreshment in your hand, a cat rubbing against your leg and visualize what you would like to look at. Of course, if January proves to be extremely cold and snowy, you might visualize golden sand, palm trees swaying and those little drinks with umbrellas in them. Those may not be bad thoughts, but unless you move, you won't be totally productive toward a new and improved landscape. So, you're standing in front of the window, and trying to decide what would look the best.

Last winter, while peering out of my kitchen, dining room and upstairs windows, I decided that my shrub row was terrible. The plants were horribly overgrown. Besides, they had done well and I wanted to try something else. From outside, they looked fine. Out they came this spring. I've never been happy with what my front garden looks like from the living room window, but it is impressive from outside. Since it's viewed mainly indoors due to location, what looks good from outside should matter the least.

It's possible you have an ugly view you want hidden when inside. Maybe you don't keep your shades or curtains closed all the time, or maybe you do, and you really don't want to. Possibly an evergreen screen might shield you from your neighbors.

The main point is to stand and decide in the next couple of months what you would like to see looking out. It may be a huge massive flower garden that isn't there at the moment. Or a water garden. Or a clump of ornamental grasses.

And always keep in mind one of the general rules of landscaping if you don't like it, get rid of it.

David Robson is an Extension Educator, Horticulture, at the Springfield Extension Center, University of Illinois Extension. You can write to Robson in care of Illinois Country Living, P.O. Box 3787, Springfield, IL 62708. Telephone: (217) 782-6515. E-Mail: robsond@mail.aces. uiuc.edu

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