There are dozens of great ways to introduce color and life to your outdoor space this winter, according to garden expert extraordinaire Teresa O’Connor author of the Seasonal Wisdom blog. Enjoy!
(Photo of Battery Park, NYC in winter by TammySimmons on Flickr.)
Old Man Winter might bring freezing temperatures and blowing snow where you live. But that doesn’t mean you can’t attract positive Chi to your outdoor spaces, with healthy plants that survive even in the dead of winter.
(Conifer photo by Randall C. Smith, courtesy of Iseli Nursery.)
Evergreens
It’s easy to understand why evergreens have been cherished since ancient times. While many plants are dormant and dead-looking now, evergreens stay green in freezing temperatures.
From pyramid shapes to round balls, evergreens are ideal for creating focal points in your winter garden.
‘Green Velvet’ boxwood (Zone 4) retains color in winter.
(Photo by Park Seed.)
Energize your outdoor spaces with fragrant evergreens. Mark doorways with matching boxwood.
Accent a stagnant area with a cypress topiary that sparks the Chi in pleasant ways. Or, plant a protective border with conifers that block unpleasant sights and improve air quality.
More at The Amazing World of Conifers.
Ornamental Cabbages and Kales (Brassica oleracea)
Ornamental cabbages, copyright Kerry Michaels.
When I moved north, one of the first things I did was plant ornamental kale in window boxes. The kale thrived in our Zone 6 garden – and the first freeze only made the green, purple and pink colors grow deeper in intensity.
In February, my kales finally croaked from exhaustion, earning a well-deserved rest.
Cabbages have smooth leaves, while kale has fringed or serrated leaves. Both have colors that contrast well with snow.
Pop these stars into planters, window boxes or tiny garden spaces. You’ll wonder how you lived without them.
Container Tips
- Plant with potting soil. Don’t use garden soil.
- Use winter-proof containers with drainage. Avoid clay or ceramic pots that can crack.
- Select container plants hardy to two zones colder than your region. In Zone 6, safe bets are Zone 4 plants.
More from Ohio State University Extension.
Don’t Miss! Teresa’s guest post, Celebrate Spring With Three Flowering Favorites.
About the Author: Teresa O’Connor is a writer and speaker about gardening, food and folklore.
She was trained as a Master Gardener in California and Idaho, and co-authored the book Grocery Gardening: Planting, Preparing and Preserving Fresh Foods. Thousands know her as Seasonal Wisdom on Facebook, Twitter and her blog, which tastemaker P. Allen Smith called one of 10 Great Garden Blogs.
