Winter in Syracuse, New York, is considered harsh by many people from other parts of the country. As the caretaker of the Gethsemane Prayer Garden, I find increasingly that these people are correct. In the winter of 2010-2011, the Lord gave us a period of rest as we endured snow nearly every day from early December to mid-March. Even to get into the garden, one had to climb over high banks of snow that is piled from the parking lot.

If you can get into the garden, there are some spots of beauty even if there are no flowers. The branches of the dappled willow will turn to bright red, the snow can form many interesting shapes, and the brook can be beautiful to behold.

All this said, if you are looking for a beautiful garden in winter, try something in California, Australia or especially South Africa.