Summary

The article provides guidance on preparing a garden to maintain visual interest throughout the winter season.

Abstract

The article "Gardening Before Winter Ends" encourages gardeners to plan and design their gardens to be visually appealing even during the dormant winter months. It suggests taking stock of the current garden landscape, considering the views from windows and the driveway, and using photography and Pinterest for inspiration. The author emphasizes the importance of a strong garden foundation, incorporating elements such as bushes, statues, water fountains, tall grasses, arbors, and wildlife-friendly features like bird feeders. The article also recommends adding color with ornaments and statuaries and creating focal points, even in small spaces like balconies. The overall message is to design a garden that invites enjoyment and exploration year-round, with the winter season as a specific consideration.

Opinions

The author believes that a garden should captivate the eye and spark imagination, even in winter.
It is suggested that bare patches in a garden should be filled with interesting elements to draw attention and enjoyment throughout the winter.
The article conveys that statues or art can add a unique invitation to linger in the garden during colder months.
The author expresses a personal fondness for tall, dry grasses in winter, appreciating their aesthetic against the snow and their promise of spring.
There is an opinion that even small gardens can be made inviting in winter with the right design choices.
The author values wildlife and suggests incorporating features that attract and provide for birds and squirrels.
The use of evergreens in hanging baskets and the addition of birdseed are recommended for both visual appeal and as a benefit to local birdlife.
The article promotes the idea of personal expression in garden design, emphasizing that choosing elements that one loves will result in a space that others will appreciate as well.

Gardening Before Winter Ends

Your garden’s winterscape

I know — you’re anxious to get out there and start pruning and planting. But, before you get carried away by the balmy plus 2 degrees temperature, here are some things to consider. So, bundle up and grab your camera. And, for those of you who are in the scorching heat of mid-summer, add this article to your ‘read later’ list and throw on some sunscreen.

Look around as you walk through your garden

What captures your attention? Is it appealing to the eye even as the sun’s hiding behind the last winter clouds and your toes are longing for slippers? Is your imagination sparked by the snowy mounds with sturdy twigs poking up through the snow? Are you in awe of the designer shadows cast by majestic trees and bushes? Do you see whimsy in the waving tall grasses that have withstood the throes of a treacherous ice storm?

Is your garden speaking to you? What is it saying?

If your garden looks like a vast white bed of nothingness, consider making some changes this spring. Then, you’ll wow yourself and your guests with a splendid winterscape next winter.

This is my tiny Burning Bush after an ice storm. I love the solid formation on the branches — like crystalline coral.

Begin with the foundation and build upon that

Start with the basics, the framework of your garden. Of course, you can’t see the shoots of beautiful blooms yet, only the bare skeleton of something about to happen. To attract more than a mere glance during the long freezing time from November to April, we need things happening even in the dormant time to invite us outdoors, so we enjoy our garden in winter too.

Take photos of your garden from every angle, especially where the garden is visible from windows and the welcome home as you walk/drive down the driveway. Are there any bare patches? You want to be beckoned even when the temperature says, “Don’t be crazy. Stay inside with a hot pot of tea!”

If you have bare patches devoid of interest, try to envision what would fill the area well. What draws you into a garden that you don’t currently have in yours? If you’re stuck for ideas, take a drive around the neighbourhood. If you’re hibernating, (bless you) start a Pinterest board of gardens that inspire you.

Check out my Pinterest board called Garden Designs. I started this to keep me inspired when the weather was incompatible with being outside. You may not have a large area to work with, but even a tiny garden can be inviting in winter.

A few ideas of things to add for interest

Bushes retain their shape, and the branches hold snow quite well to form a lovely orb.

Mounding perennial branches will peek up through the snow like many fingers pulling back the blanket of winter.

A statue or other art form sends its own unique invitation to linger.

Frozen water fountains provide a place for birds to splash as temperatures rise as well as being a decorative feature.

Tall, dry grasses are one of my favourite things in winter. Their flowing stalks wave a promise of spring, and the contrasting gold against white is stunning.

An arbour is an interesting welcome, tall above the snow. Maybe you’ll cover it with a vine in spring. The dried vine in winter will tell its own tale.

If you’re a wildlife lover, consider a few bird feeders or squirrel banquets on rustic outdoor tables. The furry and feathered guests will be grateful and offer endless entertainment in appreciation.

And if you have a balcony or narrow side plot, consider creating a focal point with a chair and a small table. Or a few planters with ‘thrillers’ and ‘spillers’ for your guests to admire through the windows as you sip warm beverages.

Once the flowers are gone, cover your hanging baskets with evergreens and sprinkle birdseed on top of the dirt.

Our chickadee and nuthatch love this, especially if they’re sheltered.

Colour can add a delightful change against a blank canvas. Garden Centres will often carry many attractive ornaments and colourful statuaries year-round. Choose some with plenty of vibrant colours (or paint them yourself) to decorate the landscape. Even an old broken flower pot upturned will add some colour. And broken pots with an opening are great hiding places for frogs and toads — a perfect little project!

An outdoor focal point can keep you going through the harsh months and excite you for the new life that will grow in spring. Stay true to what you love, and all your visitors will love your garden too.

Our bistro set on the front porch, awaiting coffee mugs. I love the pattern of icicles.

Chin up! We’re almost there!

Til next time — I hope you create a fabulous winter wonderland for next year!

Lynne

If you enjoy reading stories like these and want to support my writing, consider becoming a Medium member. A small monthly fee gives you unlimited access to stories and helps to support me and other Medium writers. I’ll earn a small commission if you sign up using my link. Thanks: https://lynnecollier.medium.com/membership