After we cut down some diseased Leyland cypress trees last summer that had been deflecting the harsh afternoon sun from our backyard , I realized pretty quickly that I needed something to screen our deck before summer’s heat strikes again. Instead of an awning, I am thinking of going vertical with plants to add some beauty and interest and provide the necessary screening we need. My husband is drawing up some plans to build a lattice box with soil in the middle, contained by landscaping fabric. I can then poke plants through the fabric and have a wall of wonderful plants that love the sun but also deflect it from our deck. I hope we can figure out how to make this idea a reality!

Vertical gardening grows in popularity every year. It is a great way to garden in a small space. It also provides a pop of color and a focal point when you have a long wall or fence.  Nothing is more charming than a flowering vine growing up a trellis or arbor. There are so many ways you can take it vertical. Here are just a few ideas:

My arbor covered in vines beckons people farther into my garden.

A lovely lattice against a brick wall provides the frame for luscious blooms at Chicago Botanic Garden.

 Crossed vines provide interest against this home's siding and compliments the beautiful planting bed.

Cheerful impatiens spill over this wall adding a colorful focal point.

A clever way to hang plants vertically along a fence!

A vertical box built into a corner adds a stunning display at Chicago Botanic Garden.

Vertical gardens aren't just ornamental but provide a compact way to grow fruit and other edibles - an espaliered fruit tree takes up little space.

A wall of herbs at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Teepees are the perfect vertical support for veggies and other vining plants.

I got lots of inspiration (and photos) last year visiting the Chicago Botanic Garden. They really utilize their space with vertical gardening.  Try it in your own garden!

Temperatures might get up to 70 today and I am starting to believe that winter may really have passed us by this year! Of course, as soon as I write this – we will probably get a freeze. But it really does feel like an early spring.

So many plants are starting to pop up including my day lilies. Carolina jessamine vines are getting ready to bloom on my arbors and hydrangeas are showing some green growth. Some of my mother’s azaleas are in bloom. I have some plump flower buds progressing on my snowball viburnum and really hope those huge blossoms will not be hurt by any late frost.

This time of year, I am always excited and fascinated by what is blooming.  Here is what I’ve got going in my February garden:

The prize of the winter garden - Hellebores (Lenten Rose)

I love the color combinations of Hellebores. New varieties have more upright blooms.

It seems like everyone has camellias in full bloom. Last year these bloomed in March and April.

Rosemary is my new "favorite" plant to give structure and interest to the winter garden. And it has such pretty blue blooms in January and February,

My viburnum bushes have become small trees and are covered in blooms right now.

I like the contrast of the fountain grass and the viburnum blooms.

I never seem to be able to grow Daphne odora successfully but my mother's are filled with fragrant flowers right now.

My mystery ground cover! Do you do this - plant something and forget to write down what it is? But it is pretty and in bloom.

Hooray for spring! Let's hope we enjoy a long and cool one because with this warm winter, I hear we are going to have a really "buggy" summer this year!

We finally got some cold weather and I have been enjoying watching (from the warmth of my kitchen window) the birds coming to my bird feeder. Today I saw a hairy woodpecker, blue bird, tufted titmouse and a chickadee. I’m constantly on the lookout for a great blue heron that likes to terrorize my koi and gold fish!  I spotted a Cooper hawk the other day and have noticed several black vultures around. I’ve been “practicing” identifying birds in preparation for the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Heron stalking my fish!

Each year thousands of people across the country count birds during the four-day nationwide bird count. This fun and free event will be held this year from Friday, February 17 – Monday, February 20. The best part – you don’t have to go anywhere to participate. Your backyard is the perfect place to count birds. Or, you can go to a local park, school yard, nature preserve – any where you can find birds. The purpose of the count is to encourage people to become more interested in birds and to help researchers determine the winter movements of birds across our country during one specific time-frame.

Beginners are welcome and families are encouraged to take this opportunity to get their kids outside to appreciate nature and learn more about our feathered friends. You can commit as little as 15 minutes on one day or you can choose to count on one, two, three or all four days for as long as you like. You can download from the Great Backyard Bird Count website a Regional Bird Checklist that details what birds you will find in our area and a Data Form with instructions on what to do and to help you keep track of the birds you are counting.

Northern Cardinal

Tufted Titmouse

Here is a list of the top ten birds most frequently reported during the 2011 count: Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, American Gold Finch, Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, House Finch and Tufted Titmouse. Most of these birds can be spotted in Georgia. So, dust off those binoculars and get ready to count birds!