Winter Garden

Every year, when the sun refuses to shine and the cold chill cuddles you to stay in bed; you know that the yuletide season is just around the bend. As daylight becomes shorter and dark nights become longer, you find it harder to wake up each morning. When the last leaf falls of the tree, the cool whiff whistles that winter solstice is here again. Before long, the blue sky turns gray, all plants look dead and outdoor activities are limited. The heavy snow, bitter cold and icy wind will force you to stay inside for what seems like an abrupt end to everything. Wouldn’t it be nice to look out the window and see some color rather than wide plains of pure glistening white? Try making a winter garden and you will be assured of color all winter long.

Gardens are never restricted to summer and spring months. Nature finds a way of adapting even in the heap of dust or crust of snow. Develop interest, texture and variety to your barren, frosted landscape and transform it into an enchanting winter wonderland. With a speck of imagination and ingenuity, put your green thumb to work even if you don’t want to get cold feet. It just takes a dose of dedication to try out the winter garden.

An array of plants, shrubs, flowers and foliage can thrive in the harsh winter. I’d like to present to you the top ten, most popular picks.

1. Hellebores (Helleborus)
2. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana
3. Bergenia (Bergenia Cordifolia)
4. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
5. Berry bushes
6. Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)
7. Winter vegetable
8. Evergreen Holly (Ilex)
9. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
10. Camellias (Camellia Japonica)

Despite the odds, winter has its charms. Don’t pay any attention to the harsh cold. Dash out and create a winter garden instead of snow castles. The fragrant blooms will take you by surprise as vivid patches of color ornate your backyard, and kissing under the mistletoe will never be just a splash of red, green and white – the perfect winter garden.