Monroe County Master Gardener Association

Why is it we often do not winter garden outdoors? Is it we don’t understand what we need to plant or where to plant? A small garden containers may be popular in the summer, but often we worry they will break apart from the cold if we use them during the winter. Do you know what containers are great for winter? Well, here is some advice to make your garden pleasing to the eye during these cold months.

First let’s look to what we planted in the summer that will allow interest during the winter. Of course anything evergreen can be great focal points in the winter. Falling snow lies beautifully on the branches

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How about the grasses you planted? Even if they are an annual, they will add texture and movement during the winter months

Thank you Gail for these lovely photos.
Heuchera, (coral bells) give great color and texture in their foliage in all seasons. With our winter being more mild then years ago, they see to keep shape and color better. Hellebores (Lenten rose) is another one I use in my garden that looks great all seasons. Although heavy snow can sometime crush the foliage. They are one of the many first bloomers. Here are a few more to consider that include winter interest: sedum, lambs ear, hens & chicks.
Don’t forget to include interesting structural plants. I’m talking about those woody plants that have bark interest or structure that looks interesting after the foliage has fallen. For example; Corylus aveillana “Contorta” (Harry Lauder’s walking stick) or an Acer palmatum (Japanese maple), both are very interesting structurally.

Now where should we locate these?
Unless you walk thru you garden often during the winter, I suggest you place these where they can be enjoyed from the interior thru your windows. Include the spots where you frequently sit and look out. Include containers on a deck, porch or patio, near the entrance of your home, or where you may sit on those unusually warm days.
Containers? Won’t they freeze? Some containers are very susceptible to freezing, such as clay, ceramic etc. But during the spring and summer, when you are purchasing a container, consider this. There are many containers that will hold up to the brutal winter weather.Fiberglass, metal, very thick plastic, and of course my favorite Woolly pockets for vertical gardens. These are just a few that will hold up to the frost, ice and snow. . Make some as well during the summer, such as stone, concrete, hollow log or a concrete block container like this:
. This photo came from a Pinterest post, no credit was given on the post, but check Pinterest out for more interesting DIY pots.

A few additional tips: make sure the holes for drainage are not blocked, and use pot feet under them so that they won’t freeze to the ground, or surface they are sitting on. Ground frozen post often damage.

Lastly, don’t forget that texture, lighting and color. Texture is easy to obtain, color might be a bit more difficult. Color may be added thru birdhouses, feeders, containers, and structure items. Don’t forget those plant and trees with colorful berries, grasses like blue oak grass, and Japanese blood grass. It gets dark earlier so lighting should be added. Suggests are of course solar, but Christmas lights in a tree or bush adds interest.
In closing, I’m encouraging you to get up and get out there and garden.