Just one more month until the end of this year, and it will be a brutal month for most of us: cold, wet weather and nowhere near the usual amount of color in our gardens. Many of us will have to focus on something other than gardening this month. Luckily, December is full of holidays, so there will be more socializing this month. I don't drink much during the year, but I'd never say no to a Pimm's Winter Cup or a Hot Toddy at a holiday gathering.
December is National Giving Month, and this seems to be part of the mindset of a gardener. The gardeners I know are marked by positive energy -- kindness, acceptance, empathy, and community spirit. This month's thumbnail photo, therefore, is of 'The Generous Gardener,' a tall Austin rose with pale pink blooms.
