7 Container Plantings to Bring Winter Gardens to Life

Twigs, hellebore and dwarf cypress. This container's small size didn't allow for a dogwood plant, but the same effect is achieved by using dogwood twigs. (Ornamental twigs are usually available at nurseries over the winter months.) The chartreuse green of the miniature cypress makes for a bold statement, and the container is finished off with a hellebore, which will flower all through the winter. This is an easy, low-maintenance combination of textures and colors that really complements this modern residence.

This container consists of:

Dogwood twigs
Dwarf golden cypress
Hellebore

by Matt Kilburn

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Purple kale and coral bells. A container next to the front door draws the eye to the house and can often deflect attention from a front garden that lies dormant through the colder months. This container bursts with color and texture, and the individual plants can be repurposed in future containers or moved to new homes in the garden once they outgrow the container.

This container consists of:

Fire twig dogwood
Corokia
Purple ornamental kale
Coral bells 'Creme Brulee'
Spurge 'Black Bird'
Gold carex
Scotch moss

by Matt Kilburn

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Moss and dogwood. Bright green moss contrasts nicely with the vibrant color of redtwig dogwood in this entryway container. This simple but effective combination of color and texture comes to life with the addition of pinecones. As spring rolls around, the dogwood can be moved from the container to a more permanent location in a garden bed, where it can grow to its full potential.

This container consists of:

Redtwig dogwood
Sphagnum moss
Pinecones

by Matt Kilburn

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Textural contrast with black mondo grass. Texture abounds in this container. The muted tones of black mondo grass and pinecones set off a backdrop of skimmia and dogwood twigs. This is a perfect low-maintenance addition to a small patio that can be enjoyed from the comfort of indoors.

This container consists of:

Dogwood twigs
Skimmia
Black mondo grass
Pinecones

by Matt Kilburn

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Year-round bamboo poles. A simple combination of evergreen plants acts as a foundation to timber bamboo poles in this container arrangement. The bamboo poles are a permanent fixture that effectively complement seasonal plantings year-round.

This container consists of:

Timber bamboo poles
Skimmia
Mountain pepper
Coral bells 'Obsidian'

by Matt Kilburn

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Moss and Phormium. A container planted with Phormium is a great focal point year-round, but the fronds can often get weighted down with snow in the colder climates. We've combatted this by introducing moss-covered twigs to add some support. We then finished off the base by covering up a mass of hens-and-chicks with a light carpet of loose moss. This container now provides interest throughout the winter and can easily be converted to a spring planter.

This container consists of:

Phormium
Mossy twigs
Sphagnum moss
Hens-and-chicks

by Matt Kilburn

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Black mondo grass contrasts with ornamental twigs. The dark stain of the fence on this site provided an opportunity for interesting color combinations in this featured container. The dark tones of mondo grass and coral bells complement the surrounding color palette, while bright yellow and red ornamental twigs and an acid-green cypress add vibrant intensity to the arrangement.

This container consists of:

Red and yellow ornamental twigs
Dwarf golden cypress
Coral bells
Leatherleaf sedge
Black mondo grass

by Matt Kilburn

Comments

Home Decorating Shop UK Very good tips. Winter is, as you say, bleak enough without any help - and natural scenery can certainly fall victim in a serious way to the harshness of the season. Certainly, adding some life and colour to your garden can't help but be uplifting.

6 months ago · Like ·

RollingPlanter.com It is important not only to grow ornamental gardens, but gardens that produce food. On the Pacific West Coast, as well as the Gulf Coast and parts of the lower Atlantic Coast, it is a time that one can easily grow leafy vegetables and herbs. Both plants look great in pots and provide healthy food for the family or individuals who grow them. Not only do these plants taste good they can be attractive. Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, Belgian endive, to name a few are very attractive plants. Besides vegetables there are many herbs that can be grown year round outside. For instance, rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender and bay laurel.

If you would like to know more information about which plants grow during the winter, I would be more than happy to answer questions write me: rollingplanter@gmail.com. If you would like to see some great handsome commercial quality planters that can be easily set up for a perfect winter garden see us on Houzz: http://www.houzz.com/pro/tetonluft/rollingplantercom or come directly to our website: http:www.rollingplanter.com