This month in your home landscape, start asparagus, plant perennial Mediterranean herbs and add in colorful shrubs
by Helen Yoest

As I look toward aging in place, I have a long-term goal of creating a more open, low maintenance landscape. January is a good time to evaluate your garden to see what can be added, moved or removed. I’ve taken out a lot of fruit trees that make beautiful blooms but, alas, no fruit, like apple, apricot, cherry and guava. Additionally, I’ve added more manageable shrubs (like our native dwarf yaupon hollies) to replace invasives I’ve taken out of my yard. Here’s what I’m working on this month.

Start Asparagus

Asparagus is a delight when it emerges in the spring‚ but it must mature for two to three years before harvesting to establish its root systems. Plant it in a permanently sunny area, amending the soil with lime and compost to improve fertility and drainage (asparagus prefers less acidic soil than we have here in Raleigh). Plant bare-root crowns, the part of the plant where the stem and roots meet, 6 to 8 inches deep, and cover with soil. As spears grow, add more soil. My favorite variety is Mary Washington; another beautiful and tasty species is the Purple Passion, which is sweeter and higher in vitamin C. 

Plant Perennial Herbs

Mediterranean herbs like oregano, sage and thyme have provided me easy seasoning for years. They require full sun and well-draining soil, but otherwise little attention until you snip them. To save herbs for later use, rinse and let dry. Then loosely tie in small bundles at the stem ends and hang upside down in a warm, low-humidity area, out of sunlight. Once the leaves are crisp (after about a week) strip them from the stems. Store the herbs in airtight jars. 

Consider Colorful Shrubs

For color in your garden with less maintenance, consider trading out needy perennials for vibrant shrubs. Consider adding Florida anise for amazing yellow color or dwarf viburnum for abundant white flowers in April, plus sporadic flowering from fall through spring.  

This article originally appeared in the January 2026 issue of WALTER magazine.