Winter Garden Dreams
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Collapse ▲Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteer of Transylvania County Susan Whitcomb
On the cold days of winter here in Transylvania County we often find ourselves at our windows in search of a gratifying view. Winter is the time for us to enjoy what we have already planted, and to think about what might make our winter garden more pleasing this time next year.
What have you already accomplished in your garden? It used to be good practice to cut down our perennials and nip the heads off hydrangeas in the fall, but current gardening wisdom is to cut them down to 10-12 inches or leave them up until spring. This saves us a season of backache while providing seeds and shelter for wildlife, as well as interesting shapes and textures for the eye. Tall and short ornamental grasses can rustle against your back fence and the edges of your borders amid scattered “bouquets” of dried hydrangeas, sedums, and autumn ferns Enjoy the silhouettes of your native wildflowers in the paler light of winter.
Next, notice what trees and shrubs anchor your garden. Strategically placed evergreens of varying sizes and colors provide useful structure year-round. They offer green or gold foliage, colorful stems or bark, and berries. Chinese holly, Foster holly, and Nellie R. Stevens holly provide height, and mass where you need “pillars” or “carpets” (groundcover) in space, as do arborvitae, cypress, and juniper. The red stems of red twig dogwood and brilliant fruits of winterberry holly attract humans and wildlife. Where do you see holes – an anchor that is missing or an opportunity to continue the rhythm of heights, shapes, and textures that you have already established in your garden? Winter is a suitable time to plant ornamental trees, fruit trees, and shrubs so long as you keep them well-watered. Make notes on what to fill in.
Before spring bulbs emerge, think how can you make it more enjoyable to get yourself into the garden. Examine and imagine the hardscape and ornaments like patios, paths, arbors, trellises, benches and birdbaths. Can you access the garden easily or should you modify or install a new path? Would steppingstones help you get into the back of your garden without trampling soil and plants? Is there an ideal spot for a bench or chair from whence your senses can savor the garden? Now is a good time to plan these changes and enlist help in getting them installed.
It is not too late to purchase winter-hardy plants for containers and window boxes. Cyclamen, heathers, hellebores, pansies, and dwarf evergreens can be swapped out later for spring replacements. Cut stems of red twig dogwood and other shrubs to give your containers height and structure. Gather fallen pinecones or stones to place at the soil level to discourage squirrels and other critters from disturbing your plantings.
Now, winter dreams go wild when seed and plant catalogues arrive! This is the time to scrutinize their offerings and imagine the possibilities in your space. Where would you like to expand your beds or enlarge a patch of a successful plant? Were you disappointed in a particular plant’s performance last year? What would make a good replacement? Are you tempted to try something new?
Building a base of native plants is a wise idea: natives have better chances of surviving our Transylvania County growing conditions and they encourage the visual and aural delights of bees, butterflies, and birds. However, we all have favorite annuals and perennials that we “plug in” to remind us of beloved gardens past or for continuous color next season. We take the risk. For best results, check the recommended climate zone (we’re in Zone 7), light, and water requirements for your “contestants” before you put them on your list. Winter dreams are where none of our plant choices die.
Ideas to excite your winter garden dreams can be found on North Carolina Extension Gardener Toolbox.
The Transylvania County Master Gardenersm program offer public lectures and gardening classes, as well as helpful handouts on garden topics. For more information, contact the Transylvania County Cooperative Extension at (828) 884-3109 or visit in person at 106 E. Morgan St. in Brevard.