Garden abuse - The winter garden

The winter garden or GFSD* lies along the north wall of the property. It is home to the boulders which were pulled from the corn patch where they had been growing for centuries.  It is also home to the 'river of bulbs' and an assortment of shrubs which have been whittled down by the deer and the vagaries of Mother Nature.  During the summer, it is hidden behind the corn patch.  Although hidden, there were some interesting combinations flowering within this border and the 'bench' was a happy, hidden place to sit now and then. 
Any garden which is at a distance and which is not a destination gets little attention from this gardener.  The corn has been harvested and the stalks removed and now, a good patch of winter rye is glowing green in front of the dismal looking winter garden where the annual weeds, now twisted and dry, need removal.  I did not spread a layer of mulch on this garden in the spring and it certainly shows.  So much of gardening is reflecting on what should have been done and learning not to repeat that mistake.  Honey, I need some mulch. 
The goal for next year is to have this garden neatly edged and mulched and the goal for the future is to have enough plants in this garden that mulch will not be necessary.  Layered plantings equal low maintenance landscapes and that is all important when dealing with a shrub border or a garden which is viewed from afar.

* GFSD - The Garden of Five Sisters and One Daughter was planted in 2007