5 Ways to Boost Your Winter Garden in the Northeast

With the bones of the landscape laid bare, it’s easier to see opportunities for design, color, and year-round structure

I do n’t know about you , but oncewinterarrives here in the Northeast and the leaves have fallen off all of the trees , my eyes pore on things I just never noticed in thesummer . Winter is when I ca n’t help but see both eyesore and lots of garden design opportunity . Here are five things you could do as you look over yourNortheastern gardenthis winter .

Learn more : Northeast : February Garden To - Do List

Identify gaps

Once the leave drop and perennial give-up the ghost back , bare tree diagram and borders expose how much real estate one really has . In winter , I am prompt of places , often in understories , where I should add more plants that bloom in late winter and early fountain . sure as shooting , there are always opportunities for fountain bulbs , but let ’s not forget that there are plenty of opportunities for shade - loving perennials under small trees and bush . wintertime is the time to think about areas wherewoodland ephemerals , hellebore ( Helleborusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) , and even epimediums ( Epimediumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) can shine before the leaves on the trees unfurl and the summertime garden steals attention off again .

Evaluate sight lines

Do n’t get me wrong — I have intercourse my neighbors . But winter is a keen time to consider where to set shrub and tree to hide their new aboveground swimming pool or shed . Even a mislaid telephone magnetic pole can be an eyesore . These things can becamouflagedrather quickly in just a few years with strategical positioning of a quick - growing tree such as birch ( Betulaspp . and cvs . , Zones 2–9 ) or tupelo ( Nyssaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) .

Consider hedging

While there is nothing wrong with planting a hedge purely for tactical ground , like check a place boundary or hiding a dumpster , it ’s OK to plant one just for the birds . Irruptions of Northern winter finch like grosbeaks , as well as crossbill and cedarwood waxwings , will give thanks you for offering them a hedge full of Chuck Berry . Additionally , a thinly lop hedge of cerise Ilex decidua ( Ilex verticillata , Zones 3–9 ) or crabapple ( Malus spp . and cvs . , Zones 2–8 ) provides color and interest . Viburnums(Viburnumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) are rarely used in hedging but make respectable candidates for put off . If you are count for anevergreen holly , try loanblend Meserve holly ( Ilex×meserveae , Zones 4–8 ) for an unusual yet good wintertime show .

Dare to go bare

I make out I am not alone in appreciating the au naturel , gray arm of a well - trimmed deciduous tree diagram or shrub . My pleach hornbeam hedge ( Carpinusspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) arrest traffic mostly in wintertime , which is why I keep embed them around our property . Popular in Britain , deciduous hornbeam ( or beech ) hedges are beginning to notice an audience in North America . Easy to care for and inexpensive if institute as saplings 3 feet asunder , these quick - rise hedges only require a trim in June and once again in autumn to retain their beauty and form . For other deciduous trees and shrubs with winter stake , consider privet ( Ligustrumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–10 ) , which you will have to trim biannually . I also think that shrub with nice innate ramification ( that are never prune into a hedge ) and with gorgeous buds are peculiarly decent , such as fothergilla ( Fothergillaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) or Japanese stewartia ( Stewartia pseudocamellia , Zones 5–8 ) . Japanese kerria ( Kerria japonica , Zones 4–9 ) is another great choice , with gorgeous , shining spring - green stem that see near against blanched snowfall . For more shrubs with with child winter bark , read on here : Intriguing Bark Enlivens a Winter Scene . And for more wintertime - blooming shrubs , take on here : Six Winter - Blooming shrub for the Northeast .

Go beyond ever-green

Modern gardeners are rosy to have access code to many evergreen that offer a broad range of mountains of colors beyond fleeceable . Korean firs ( Abies koreana , Zones 5–7 ) provide fabulous upright bluish - reddish blue cones that make my centre airstream every sentence I see them , and most yellow - needled conifer look their skilful set against livid C and wintertime sunlight . A darling of mine is the ‘ Skylands ’ Oriental spruce ( Picea orientalis‘Skylands ’ , Zones 4–7 ) , with its bright , golden needles and uniform shape that keeps getting better and comfortably with each wintertime . view adding a “ beyond - green ” evergreen plant this descend year . For more unusual conifers , record on here :

— Matt Mattus is a lifelong gardener and vice Chief Executive of the Worcester County Horticultural Society . He has save two book : Mastering the Art of Flower GardeningandMastering the Art of Vegetable Gardening .

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winter garden

Taking a stroll through your winter garden is one of the best ways to evaluate and plan for future planting and design success.Photo: Matt Mattus

garden planning

When summer-blooming perennials are dormant, you can see how much space you have to plant fall-, spring-, and winter-blooming ephemerals to add interest back to those gaps.Photo: Matt Mattus

birches in winter