Growing Together: Tips for creating a beautiful winter landscape

Growing Together

The fruits of American viburnum can persist all winter, providing beauty and food for wildlife. David Samson / The Forum

Don Kinzler

Landscape talk in late December in North Dakota might seem a bit odd, but we have a seasonal golden opportunity. Rather than viewing six months of landscape dormancy as a season half-empty, lets relish it as half-full.

I realized the beauty of winter landscapes when we sold Christmas trees years ago. In mid-December, sales wound down, and I would look out our windows to the large display plantings that Mary and I had developed. I was struck by the quiet beauty of the shrubs and trees, their twigs and bark, shapes and colors against the snow. Evergreens contrasted with redtwig dogwood. The shaggy bark of river birch was exotic. Snow-covered benches and fences completed the scene, which would have been a photographers dream snapshot. It was serene and amazingly intriguing.

The simple beauty reminded me that we can embrace the winter landscape and enjoy its offerings. Best of all, it can be experienced looking out a window from the comfort of our home. Plus we dont need to mow the lawn yet, and the first weeds are still months away.

Lets accomplish two winter landscape tasks.

First, we can spend time looking out the window to appreciate existing nature while reawakening our sense of horticultural awe.

Second, we have the opportunity to do some thought gardening to plan improvements to our winter wonderland. When spring arrives, the last thing on my mind is our yards appearance in the dead of winter. So I should make notes now for spring implementation. Otherwise, I wont remember and it wont happen.

There are six principles for developing or improving a winter landscape:

View post:
Growing Together: Tips for creating a beautiful winter landscape