Garden Guy Column: Winter Interest In The Garden

In our forests, color is not an abundant resource. With what little humidity we have, scorching summer temperatures, and constant winds, our environment is harsher than many other places. Irrigation certainly helps us obtain colorful plants during the growing season, but the natural scarcity of water and its responsible use forces us to cultivate the garden as close to nature as possible. And nature does not give much color here in winter.

What do you need to do to generate interest in our winter garden? Alternative options are the garden, trees, plants that survive the winter and return after the leaves die, and garden art or accessories.

Hardscape consists of elements such as walls, walkways, patios, fences, rocks, gazebos, gazebos, chimneys, rivers, potting sheds or other structures, and more. By their nature they are often an integral part of landscape design, but can often stand alone as a focal point. They can command attention or lead depending on their goals and location.

Broadleaf evergreens, such as trees and shrubs, or needle-like, such as pines and junipers. There are many options including sizes for most needs. After all, they make a green contrast to the muted colors of winter.

Plants that grow from spring to fall, die back or go dormant over the winter, and have attractive branches or leaves can also be used as care if left outside over winter. Perhaps the most common are the ornamental grasses that are often used in our landscapes. Many will stand all winter, or at least most of it, to create a contrast of texture and height.

Garden art and other accessories are as varied as gardeners. As with clothing, jewelry, art, and most other things people buy, everyone has their own tastes. Grouping colorful containers with or without plants works well in summer and winter. Especially in winter, these colorful objects will stand out clearly to attract attention as a focal point or distract from something less attractive. I have always been fascinated by sculpture, which for me includes busts, birdbaths, urns and other similar large containers and many other decorative objects. They also come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

In addition to these options, there are perennials that survive and bloom all winter. Periwinkle (also known as periwinkle) and hellebore (Helleborus spp) are two in my garden. Hellebore begins to bloom in January. Adding early-blooming spring bulbs like daffodils (Narcissus spp), snowdrops (Galanthus spp), crocuses, and others can add more pockets of color here and there.

Searching the internet is a surefire way to find more winter gardening ideas.

This article originally appeared in the Yellow Globe-News column: Garden boy: Winter interest in gardening.