Winter Gardening -
What Does It Mean To You?

What, you might ask, is "Winter Gardening?" Isn't winter that time of year when the ground is frozen solid and covered with an impenetrable layer of snow and ice? Aren't our hardy northern plants deep in their winter slumber, not to be awakened until they are touched by the first warm breaths of spring? Aren't we supposed to be in our own self-imposed hibernation in our jail-cell domiciles, pining for spring and the return of our precious gardening season? How can one "garden" in winter?

Well, to be honest, we had the very same question. We're not quite sure ourselves what winter gardening is! We do know that different people enjoy their gardening hobby differently over the winter. Some take to indoor gardening with houseplants, tropicals, succulents and orchids. For some it's a chance to enjoy the winter wildlife like birds and squirrels. Some like to use this down time to dream and plan for the coming season. Some gardeners like to travel to warmer climes to visit botanical gardens. For some it is a welcome respite from gardening; they kick back their heels and take a break from gardening for a couple of months, confident in the knowledge that spring is just around the corner.

One thing is for sure, the concept means different things to different people, and that makes for a fun conversation! So, as usual, we've come to you, our fellow Northscapers, to learn what "Winter Gardening" means to you. Let's share our ideas of how we "garden" during our long and cold winters; maybe we can find some ideas that we can all enjoy! Here's what our snowy garden writers have to say on this timely topic;

James Says:

Being a somewhat "unconventional" person, I like to look at winter gardening from an unconventional perspective. I've always asked the question "Why not?" when it comes to gardening in the North. So why not winter gardening? What if I were to take that literally, and try to garden "for" winter, if not "in" winter?

In my studies and travels I've come to learn that while it may not be possible to garden in this climate in the more traditional sense of the word, we can still enjoy the benefits of gardening. So for example, I like to design gardens for winter appeal. Crooked trees, maiden grass (Miscanthus) and mop-top hydrangea flower heads all catch snow in a most interesting way and give a dynamic to the landscape. Flowers like chrysanthemums persist throughout the winter. Dense hedges, statuary and retaining walls create interesting wind patterns that make a display out of the snow. Add in a few bird feeders to attract the birds for some real life in this scene, and there you have it - a self-delivering winter scene fit for a gardener!

I also like to work with the extremes of the growing season. It has never ceased to amaze me how witchhazels can flower while there's still snow on the ground. I plant crocuses and snowdrops, which bloom regularly in this climate while poking their little heads through the last layers of melting snow! I enjoy winterberries, cranberries and flowering crabs for their red, yellow and orange fruits that last until Christmas. So when it comes down to it, I actually do enjoy a good 9-10 months of solid gardening in the outdoors with some creative planting!

Stefan Says:

Winter – BAH HUMBUG! Scrooge may have been stingy, but when winter comes I get depressed as I have no colorful plants (other than a poinsettia or some fake flower Christmas decorations) to look at. So what I have been doing lately? No less than looking at travel locations to get away to so that I can see some plants, and maybe photograph a few for the Northscaping NetPS Plant Search tool (we do a lot of that lately!).

All right, when I do get to these places I usually spend a day or two photographing every plant in sight. It’s been interesting though, because I do stumble on the occasional plant that I can try to push the growth zone limit in the North. Ironically, I have never actually taken a 'winter' holiday. Last year I was supposed to, based on this premise, but Egypt closed its border three days before I was to fly out - but I’m not bitter!!!! (much)

So instead, through the winter, I looked at a future travel destination and ended up in China in May. It was well worth the change from a Northscaping Plant search perspective! Today, I am looking at more southern, and less volatile places to travel in the winter to get my plant fix during our northern winter whiteness - that is, when I’m not inputting the plants that I took photos of during the last trip.

Fun, fun, fun!

What do YOU say?

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