Garden Planning: Ten Ways to Add Winter Interest to Your Garden
The new year is a time of planning and resolutions. I am a planner by nature and have approximately one…maybe two impulsive bones in my body. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that I am starting to think about our landscape and garden plans for the year. Before I commit to a plan, I always look for inspiration. I like the typical tools, Pinterest, gardening articles, and even home design blogs, but my absolute favorite tool is taking a walk in my neighborhood. By walking in my neighborhood, I can physically see what is thriving in our growing zone. I can then take that information and reimagine it for our gardens and landscape.
As I craft my plans for the garden, I think about all four seasons. It is easy to stuff our gardens full in summer, but what about the winter months? I prefer winter to be snowy and magical. It would be nice to have snow the day after Thanksgiving until spring bulbs start popping up in March, but that is not reality in Columbus. We have many months of gray with some sunshine and snowy days sprinkled in between.
When planning, it is important to consider items that will add winter interest to your garden. Look for plants that bring structure and form to the landscape. These may include trees, evergreen shrubs, or semi-evergreen plants. Color and texture add interest and are the layering items of the garden. For example, dried flowers or seed heads, grasses, colorful succulents, or trees with interesting bark. Repetition of plants also brings harmony to the garden year round. Here are ten ways to bring winter interest to your garden.
Berries
Berries provide excellent winter interest in the garden. They are round and are a pop of color in contrast to the mostly brown and green landscape. Additionally, they are an excellent source of food for birds and other wildlife. Consider the placement of shrub or tree with berries. They can be quite messy near a patio or driveway.
Dried Flower heads
Dried flower heads add an interesting texture and a bit of whimsy to the winter garden. Hydrangeas in particular are stand outs. When planted en masse, they create a natural fence between yards or within your own garden. The flowers can also be used in wreathes, dried flower arrangements, and countless other winter projects.
Evergreen Shrubs & trees
Evergreen shrubs and trees are the obvious choice in the winter garden. They provide form and structure during the cold months. During the rest of the year, they are the perfect backdrop for blooms of all colors and sizes, but over the winter, they become the star of the show. When planting an evergreen shrub or tree, consider the amount of sunlight the planting location receives. Many evergreens require full-sun.
Dry Seed Heads
Like berries, dry seed heads provide food for birds over the winter months. They often provide a contrast in color, shape, and texture. Autumn Joy Sedum is shown in the photo above. It’s maroon color is a stunning contrast to the evergreen shrubs in the garden. Some seed heads can be quite messy. You may want to leave them out of your dry floral arrangements.
Flowering Plants
During the coldest winter months, it is pretty rare to see blooms in the garden. This Butterfly Blue Pincushion flower has been hanging around since fall. Over the winter months, you may have to think about flowering plants differently. Consider ornamental kale, the purple leaves of ajuga, or even colorful low growing sedums. There are different ways to bring the joy of flowering plants to the winter garden.
Interesting Bark & Branch Structure
There are many shrubs and trees that have interesting bark and branch structure. White, light, or red bark is a standout in the winter landscape. Peeling bark adds an interesting texture. Above is a really old yew shrub (covered in Christmas lights) that is in our garden. This common shrub brings color and texture to the garden. Other trees, such as Japanese Maples have interesting branch structures.
Dried Grasses
Dry grasses beautifully juxtapose the form and structure of some evergreen shrubs and trees in the winter garden. The provide movement and an interesting texture. They can be used in dry flower arrangements, but some varieties have seeds that can be a bit messy.
Evergreen Ground cover
When I think about evergreen ground cover, I imagine English Ivy, vinca vine, winter creeper, or Japanese Spurge. But, during a walk in the neighborhood, I came across this Dwarf Mondo Grass. I was instantly delighted and I loved the playfulness of the texture, the color contrast with the trunk of the tree and mulch, and the impact of the repetition. I definitely want to add some Mondo Grass to my garden plan.
Semi-Evergreen Shrubs & trees
Semi-evergreen shrubs and trees keep a portion of their leaves throughout the entire winter. Their broad leaves provide a nice contrast with evergreen shrubs and plants. This is our Sweetbay Magnolia Tree. It provides beautiful foliage, which can be used in wreathes and other holiday projects.
Hardscaping
Hardscaping is all of the non-living items in your garden. That may include fences, gates, decks, stonework, play structures, or walking paths. It is important to tackle (or at least plan) for hardscaping projects before adding lots of plants to your garden. There should be a balance of hardscape and plants in your garden design.
On a cold winter day, it is nice to look outside and be inspired by your garden. While many plants in your landscape are at rest, others get to step forward and be the star of the show. When you are planning your garden, consider what it will look like during all four seasons. Form, structure, color, texture, and repetition are key elements in your garden year round, but they are especially important on chilly, gray January days. Start planning your winter garden today.
