Creative Winter Gardening

For most people gardening begins in the springmaking it an excellent choice for bordering your
and ends in the fall. When the garden beds havewinter garden. Does very well in full sun to partial
been cleared and the snow begins to fall, we areshade, putting out new rusty-red colored growth
left with a white, boring landscape.each spring. This is one of the hardiest bamboos
Wouldn't you rather have a beautiful and colorfulfor northern winter gardeners. Thrives best in
winter garden spot? You can. With a littlezones 5 - 9.
imagination and planning, you can have a beautifulWintergreen
winter garden, alive with color and beautiful birds.The Wintergreen forms a ground-covering mat of
There are many plants that can add color andfoliage with white, bell-shaped flowers highlighted in
beauty to your winter garden...shades of pink, early in the spring. In the fall,
Blue Rug Juniperbright red berries appear, adding interest to this
The Blue Rug Juniper is beautiful throughout thebeautiful plant. The leaves will turn a beautiful
winter. It easily tolerates sub-zero temperaturesshade of scarlet in the winter. Thrives best in
while retaining its beautiful appearance. The dense,zones 4 - 8.
silvery-blue foliage grows to 6-8 inches tall,These are just a few of the beautiful plants
spreading to about 5 feet. The Blue Rug Juniperavailable for your winter garden. There are many
prefers full sun to partial shade. A great choice formore available online, or at your local garden
your winter garden that thrives best in zones 2 -center.
9.The planning and layout of your winter garden will
Irish Mossbe a matter of personal taste. For your winter
Low-growing Irish Moss is ideal for filling in spacesgarden consider selecting a spot in the corner of
between plants and shrubs in your winter garden.your lawn, using a row of Blue Spruce, Bamboo,
It prefers full sun to partial shade. Denselyetc. on two sides. The area you select should be
matted, moss-like clumps will grow 2-4 inches high.easily viewed from the windows of your home.
Irish Moss rarely needs clipping and will withstandAfter all what's the point of a beautiful winter
foot traffic. Retains its beautiful green color allgarden, if you can't admire it?
year long with contrasting delicate white flowersWith the Blue Spruce, Bamboo, etc. as a
from mid spring to early summer. Don't overlookbackground border, add additional evergreen
this great groundcover when planning your winterplants of your choosing. The plants I mentioned
garden. Thrives best in zones 4 - 8.above are great places to start.
Coral Beauty CotoneasterThere is much more you can do with your winter
This beautiful evergreen ground cover producesgarden than just plants. Make it a haven for the
coral-red berries that persist into winter, addingbirds in your area by adding bird feeders. There
color and beauty to your winter landscape. It willare a lot of beautifully colored birds around all
grow 12-24 inches tall and spread approximately 6winter long. In my area there are Chickadees,
feet. White flowers will appear in the late spring.Cardinals and Blue Jays, just to name a few.
Prefers full sun to partial shade and thrives best inBe sure to choose the feeders and bird seed that
zones 5 - 7.are appropriate for the types of birds living in
White Lady Helleborusyour area. A birdbath is another great addition to
Snowy-white, 2 to 3 inch blooms will emerge inyour winter garden. There are a number of
late winter into early spring, announcing the end ofbirdbath heaters on the market that will prevent
the cold winter weather. The White Ladythe water from freezing.
Helleborus is long lasting and extremely hardy,The addition of solar lighting can create a
adding interest the year round. Preferring full tospectacular scene on those cold winter nights.
partial shade, it will grow 14-18 inches tall withThere are solar lighted statues, spotlights and
approximately the same spread. Thrives best inpathway lights. You are only limited by your own
zones 4 - 9.imagination and creativity.
Hardy Evergreen BambooThere is no reason that your gardening
This hardy and attractive bamboo has darkenjoyment has to end in the fall. You can create
emerald canes that hold their beautiful color, evena beautiful winter garden oasis to enjoy all winter
in the coldest winters. Very dense, dark greenlong.
foliage, is suspended on erect 18-30' stems,