Beauty of the Winter Garden

Winter shows our northwest landscapes at their worst. Most plants have gone to sleep (dormant) in the winter and therefore look somewhat lifeless.  However, our gardens may be resting, but, they should not look dead.
Winter is  when the structure of your landscape is tested.  If it passes the test, then there should be at least an occassional shrub or perennial in bloom, some interesting bark to draw  attention, berries hanging on throughout the season, songbirds occasionally if we feed them, and greenery to remind us that things are still alive.
Winter, of coarse, is when most of us observe our gardens from inside or passing to and from our homes.  Every window can be a picture if time is spent designing a potrait of nature.  Curb appeal is extremely significant during this season of the year.

Landscape Plan

We can make a landscape plan so that even in the winter, your garden will look alive and therefore have a wonderful appearance. Wouldn’t it be nice to entertain for the holidays where every window is a picture frame of an artistic landscape? If it looks great in the winter, your garden retreat will be fabulous during the growing seasons of spring and summer.

With your landscape plan completed in the winter, you’ll be able to start working on parts of the project as winter weather permits. When spring approaches, you’ll be ready with plan in hand to complete your landscape work with enough time left in the growing season to enjoy and use your garden retreat.

Many garden plants — from tough shrubs to annual bedding plants — provide welcome color throughout the winter. Check out these favorite cold-weather beauties for some inspiration.

There's no need to wait till spring for outdoor flowers: grow a few of these winter-blooming perennials and shrubs in your backyard.

Add pops of color to your winter landscape with plants and shrubs that add interest and will attract and support wildlife.

Liven up a drab winter yard with these tips for adding color and interest.