Using Plants for Winter Interest

Is your winter garden dull and dreary? Or full of beauty and interest no matter what time of the year? Want to learn to increase the winter beauty in your landscape?

Beauty in the winter landscape can be found in:

• Winter Blooms – Yes, flowers in the winter are possible.
• Seeds and Seedpods – Beautiful snow catching, and eye catching additions to the winter garden.
• Bright Berries – Sometimes seeds are in the form of brilliant berry clusters.
• Splendid Silhouettes – Even without leaves plants can be beautiful or unique.
• Beautiful Bark – From subdued to fiery, there are plenty of choices.
• Elemental Evergreens – The classic staple of the four-season garden.

I have to admit that for me, thinking of my garden from a year-round perspective took a bit of time to learn. My first flower border looked absolutely amazing when I planted it in April, and looked even better in May. Sadly, by the time August had rolled around all the snapdragons and pansies had died and I was left with a miserable little flower border full of spindly weeds and burnt up twigs. It was the last time I planted an entire bed with whatever was blooming at the nursery that minute.

Learning to pre-plan a little bit for winter beauty in the garden is easy to do once you begin. Try selecting plants that hold interest for more than one season. There are several types of plants that will provide interest, both subtle and not so subtle, throughout a year of seasons if you know what to look for. Let’s examine together several ways to add interest to your winter landscape. Using plants for winter beauty is easier than you may realize.

By adding a few of these essential elements to your garden space you will find something to capture your eye even on the dreariest of winter days.