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Beautiful Winter Gardens

© Roger Hugh Smith

A winter garden must seem like a contradiction in terms to most non-gardeners. Granted a fresh layer of snow sparkling in the sun can make even a bare yard inviting. But it is the bleak grey snowless days of winter that truly test the structure or bones of your garden. The next time you drive through your neighborhood find the yard that most recalls the thought of the garden to your senses. These winter gardens can evoke images of spring and summer while managing their own brand of bare and frozen beauty. It is seldom an accident or an act of casual planting that create this type of beauty, the art and skill of the gardener reach a higher level in this. A garden that is beautiful in the winter will rarely be disappointing in other seasons. Could this be said of another season? Really the most captivating summer garden could easily be an unsightly mess in the winter.

Gardening in the Rockies often concentrates the glories of spring;summer and fall; into less than six months. Here the skill and art of the gardener is put to he test more than in any other region. Now is the time to take note of the winter landscapes that appeal to you and gather information .

Consider some of the following suggestions: The obvious choice for Rockies is evergreens; spruce; fir; cedar and pine. They hold their own in any season, but draped with a new snowfall and sparkling in the sunlight or illuminated by full moon on a clear winters night they become a mesmerizing feast for the eyes. Conventional gardening wisdom suggests placing tall evergreens on the north side of your property. They will protect from frigid winds but won't shade your home from the precious winter sun. On the other hand, midsize and dwarf varieties of evergreen shrubs and trees are suitable almost anywhere .

Viewing your winter landscape from various vantage points can provide an excellent starting point for your garden design. To look out your largest window in any season and discover gardening satisfaction could easily be one or your gardening goals. The twisted branches or bare trees, or arching of smaller deciduous shrubs will have more appeal set against the background of the winter evergreens. The orange red berry clusters of the Mountain Ash are a brilliant counter point on even a dull winter day. Once again add a few inches fresh snow and a moment of winter sun and small flock of chickadees feasting - yes a gardening 'high" in the midst of winter as you linger in your favourite chair and just watch!

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