My Dear Gardeners,
Hello from this newsworthy winter! It is no wonder the groundhog predicts six more weeks of the cold stuff. But I have to say, I still have a childlike love for snow days, or several of them! Though Winter Storm Fern wreaked havoc with shrubs such as this maidenhair fern, we enjoyed the slow-down, frigid week, gazing at our snow-frozen garden between warm fires and card games. Delicate but hardy Adiantum capillus-veneris is attributed to the “verdant” delight in Song of Songs 1:16, a reminder that winsome, dainty, green fronds will soon enough signal spring.
This season, much is underway with my writing and speaking schedule. Do you love all things herbal? From winter-to-spring, I will be talking about herbs of the Bible locally to the Greater Fort Worth Herb Society on February 21st, and nationally at The Herb Society of America’s Educational Conference April 15–17th in San Antonio, TX. If you are nearby either of these places, I hope you will join me! I will be organizing a garden tour itinerary along with my conference presentation if you have a day or two to spend in Texas’ hospitality city. Contact me for more details for either event.
Additionally, with Lent beginning on February 18th, my signature 7-week devotion series returns with a fresh theme, “Plants of Jesus’ Path.” Each week of Lent, we will look at a plant engaging our Savior in the days before His crucifixion. From praiseworthy palm branches to the herbal sprigs of hyssop lifted to Jesus’ face, the plants will draw us into a special garden encounter, sort of like having “Stations of the Cross” come to Passover dinner. Such a taste-and-see adventure in this holy season will help cultivate a closer relationship to our Lord Jesus and prepare our hearts for the One who has engraved us in the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16).
In addition to being published weekly in my Devotions Blog, the series will go live each Thursday, a first for me! My wonderful neighbor graciously invited me to present the week’s plant in her home on Thursday afternoons. Join us in Irving, TX for any or all of the Thursdays of Lent, February 19th to April 2nd. Contact me to RSVP and get the details. I would love to share this gardener’s point of view with you!
Blessing you to a beautiful rest-of-winter and to keeping company with the One who knows the storehouses of snow (Job 38:22). Enjoy a few snapshots below and find inspiration for the seasons to come.
Sincerely,
Shelley S. Cramm
author & gardener
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Psalm 51:7-8 NIV
From the Homeland
Field Trip to the Biblical Garden at Museum of the Bible, Washington, D.C.
Do we have a surprise for you! Tucked into the garden beds of the Biblical Garden at Museum of the Bible are bulbs to bloom the “flowers of the field,” “wildflowers,” or “lilies” referenced by Jesus (Matthew 6:28, Luke 12:27), a flowerful display to dazzle this rooftop treasure in spring. We had no worries in this crowning moment, planting Holy Land joys for the season ahead.
I was so excited to recruit a volunteer crew to help me with the work in December, an adorable team of local DC writers, shopkeepers, and gardeners who took up trowels in the chilly weather and made the day genuinely delightful! Left to right are Sonja DeCarlo, Store Manager of The Borgo at Saint Agnes Catholic Church, Arlington; Kathy Jentz, Editor of Washington Gardener Magazine; Jenny Rough, Freelance Writer with WORLD Radio; and Peggy Riccio, Freelance Writer and host of Pegplant’s Post Gardening Newsletter featuring gardening events in the DC area.
Specifically, we planted crown anemone, Anemone coronaria ‘Governor’, which you will recognize from chapter 5 of My Father is the Gardener, along with red tulips, Tulipa ‘Red Paradise’, and Narcissus tazatta ‘Avalanche’, all ordered from Brent & Becky’s Bulbs in Virginia. I am grateful that my book continues to flourish at the Museum’s gift shop and is also available on the Brent & Becky’s website. Hear more about our planting day on the Washington Gardener podcast (see info below).
For the background on this Biblical Garden, enjoy From Tree to Shining Tree in the Devotions Blog—I hope you can plan a visit on your next trip to our nation’s capital. For a more in-depth study of the “flowers of the field,” linger in my Let Faith Flourish series.
From the Nightstand
Winter reading to warm up the nights
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St. Hildegard’s Garden by Paul Ferris (an illustrated account of this notable medieval plantswoman, her beautiful work mixed with bizarre visionary experiences and fanciful herbal remedies)
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Gardens of Use and Delight by Jo Ann Gardner, 1935–2025 (celebrating the life of my friend and mentor who passed away in December with a cherished book from her extensive writing, a lovely, practical garden memoir from her farm life in Nova Scotia)
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Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara (lessons in over-the-top grace and welcome from a hands-on, happy NY restaurant owner—my daughter’s recommendation)
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The Seeking Heart by Francois de Fennelon (a collection of frank, gently goading essays from a French Catholic priest in the late 1600’s, uncannily current for today’s troubles)
I know you want to see the road ahead instead of trusting God. —Francois de Fennelon
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How Beauty Will Save the World by Winfield Bevins (a precious charge to keep, speaking to the essence of being a gardener! Realize God’s gesture of grace and goodness to the world coming through the gorgeous garden you create and cultivate)
Find more in-depth book discussions in Devotions Blog Book Reviews at Garden in Delight
From the Garden
Are iris mentioned in the Bible?
Maybe. This trusty perennial growing from rhizomes and blooming loyally in late spring might have been the intended flower in Hosea 14:5, I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon (ESV). The Hebrew word translated lily, shûwshan, is not restricted to lilies, but a more general term for flower; and it might not necessarily refer to the same kind of flower across the Scriptures (1 Kings 7:19, Song of Songs 2:1 & 16, etc.).
Why would the Hosea verse be claimed by iris? The “trees of Lebanon” in this verse could refer to trees by watercourses in mountain ravines, surged by melting waters of winter snows. Iris pseudocorus or yellow flag, reportedly carpeted the hillsides in such areas.
Considering iris as a Biblical plant requires a bit of botanical conjecture. Yet their faithfulness to grow and bloom in our gardens is worth the controversy, I think; I conclude this from a personal experience this winter.
I ordered and planted rhizomes of Iris albicans last summer, a bearded iris especially durable in Texas heat and dry clay soil, though native to the Mediterranean. Known for its resilience and nicknamed “white cemetery iris,” I promptly forgot about them, inadvertently putting their reputation to the test. No extra water or doting care for these newbee plants, yikes! Seeing no trace of growth through the fall, I felt terrible for being so neglectful. Imagine my hallelujah when I discovered these leaf blades while finishing my winter clean up: Resurrection right here in our garden!
I will be adding iris to the other Holy Land flowers for your garden in the Garden in Delight Plant Guide. Find white cemetery iris at The Southern Bulb Co. P.S. Christmas tree branches make marvelous mulch!
Blurbs & Praises
Guest Interview on Washington Gardener Magazine Podcast
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Hats off to Kathy Jentz, Editor of Washington Gardener Magazine, for hosting me on her podcast [Episode 270 on January 24, 2026] where we talk about our gardening day together in DC and creating a Biblical Garden with plants from my latest book, My Father is the Gardener. Kathy is the current President of GardenComm International, the garden writing association that brought us together as cohorts.
Refresh with a Poem
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Warm up this winter with poetic banter from the A-to-Z Primer of Plants in God’s Word, looking forward to wonderful spring feasts:
Herb Society of America Educational Conference 2026
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It’s Spicier in Texas! Join me at the Herb Society’s bi-annual conference in San Antonio, TX, April 15—17th. I will have a table at the Marketplace with copies of My Father is the Gardener and other herbal gifts for sale, and speak on Friday morning, “Get to Know and Grow Herbs of the Bible”
Winter Prayer
O Lord, I praise You for the wonders of winter, in the afterglow of celebrating Chanukah and the Savior’s birth: The bare beauty of tree branches and icicled twigs; may I see the sparkly snowfall and hear the bird’s call. Create in me a carefree heart held in Your attentive care (1 Peter 5:7).
While my garden may be paused, plenty is going on! Thank You for training me to watch for subtleties, slight shifts, or long-shadow light that bring monumental mercies. May I turn the slow-downs of winter—icy roads, late start mornings, slick pathways—over to You. Snows that redirect schedules still lead me in Your ways. Your timing is perfect even if mine is delayed and Your ways are holy when mine are hurried.
The truth is that I am forever in the hold of Your hand (Isaiah 42:6). By the sacrifice of Jesus, You have saved me and strengthened me to hold fast to Your Words of promise, patience, and productivity. You are my God and I am Your people, Hallelujah! Amen.
