With the colder months well upon us, it’s time to think about how your landscaping is being affected by the chill in the air. The cold winter weather can wreak havoc on your carefully cultivated garden and outdoor living space. If you don’t plan for this, your landscaping and plants may die off, giving your home a look that no homeowner will be happy with.
To make sure your outdoor area stays looking just as lovely in the colder season as it does in the summer, it’s important to choose plants and landscaping elements that can survive the chillier weather.
In this blog post, we’ll go over some tips on how to winter-proof your landscaping by selecting plants that stay green in cold weather. From shrubs that can handle frosty temperatures to winter flowers that bloom despite the cold, there are plenty of plant options available to you no matter what your location.
We’ll also outline some planting techniques that will ensure your outdoor oasis looks great all season long. So, if you’re ready to make sure your outdoor area is winter-proof, read on!
Understanding Cold Weather Plant Needs: Preparing Your Landscape for Winter
As winter approaches, it may mean that your landscape takes on a grey and brown appearance. But with the right knowledge and choosing the best plants that stay green in cold weather, you can winter-proof your landscape and create a living, vibrant garden all year long. To achieve this, you need to understand what cold weather plants need to survive and thrive in cooler temperatures.
Cold-weather plants are those that are hardy enough to survive in winter climates. They typically don’t require as much water or care as plants that need more warmth to thrive. Additionally, these types of plants generally stay green for longer compared to other types as they are ‘dormant’ during the colder months and their growth slows down.
When selecting plants for your winter garden, it’s important to consider their level of hardiness. Certain plants are more tolerant of cold temperatures than others and will be able to withstand the winter chill better. When making a selection, look for plants such as evergreen conifers and broadleaf evergreens that are rated as hardy in your area.
Other cold-tolerant plants include low-growing shrubs, ground cover, and ornamental grasses. Taking the time to choose the right plants that stay green in winter will not only help you keep your landscaping looking beautiful throughout the year, but also help ensure that your plants remain healthy and happy until the warm weather returns.
Know Your Region’s Climate
When it comes to winter-proofing your landscaping, it’s important to know your region’s climate. Different parts of the country have distinct temperature and precipitation patterns that can affect the types of plants that stay green in cold weather.
So if you’re looking to keep your landscaping looking lush and green during the winter months, it pays to do your research! First and foremost, be sure to select plants that are appropriate for your region’s climate – known as hardiness zones. These will be the plants that have the best chance of staying green when temperatures start to drop.
Additionally, it helps to choose plants that are native to your area, as they are best adapted to the conditions local to your area.
Finally, if you’re looking for recommendations on specific varieties of plants that stay green in cold weather, check out lists from gardening experts in your area, as these can provide a great starting point for your project.
Plant Selection Strategies for Winter-Proofing Your Landscape
When the temperature drops and the snow starts to fly, many plants begin to go dormant or suffer from winter damage. But that doesn’t mean you have to abandon your gardening dreams for the season.
Careful plant selection can help you winter-proof your landscape, protecting it from the cold and giving it a chance to look beautiful all year round. With the right strategies, you can find plants that stay green in cold weather and bring life to your yard even in the depths of winter.
When selecting plants for a winter-proof landscape, there are a few key considerations. Look for varieties with high winter hardiness, meaning they can withstand a certain amount of frost without damage. Choose plants with evergreen foliage, which maintain their color throughout the winter months.
Shrubs and small trees with dense foliage can also make for resilient plants, as their thick branches are more likely to resist frost and wind damage. Additionally, look for shelterbelts, which are plants that are arranged in a way that creates protection from the coldest winter winds.
By selecting plants that stay green in cold weather with these characteristics, you can successfully winter-proof your landscape and enjoy its beauty all year round. With a little bit of research and some creative strategies, you can find the perfect plants to ensure your lawn looks great even when the temperature plunges.
Consider Choosing Evergreen Plants
Incorporating evergreen plants into your landscaping design is a great way to “winter-proof” your outdoor space. Not all plants will remain green throughout the cold winter months, however many evergreen varieties can easily withstand the chill and remain vibrant and healthy in the colder months.
When picking plants for your landscaping, consider evergreen varieties such as juniper shrubs, boxwood hedges, and hemlock trees. Not only will they bring life and color to an otherwise bleak landscape, but they are also easy to maintain and require low levels of upkeep.
Evergreen plants provide year-round interest, making them a great choice to winter-proof your landscaping, ensure it remains interesting all year long, and add a dash of beauty and color to brighten your outdoor area.
Tips for Protecting Plants During Cold Weather
Once the plants are chosen and planted, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind to ensure they stay green and healthy throughout the winter. It is important to keep root systems insulated and limit exposure to extreme temperatures by providing a layer of mulch or other protective barriers.
Additionally, make sure to check the soil moisture regularly and water when necessary. If temperatures become extreme, it may also be beneficial to give plants some extra protection by draping burlap over them or adding a layer of evergreen boughs. Through these simple steps, it is possible to provide your plants with the protection they need to remain vibrant and unfazed by the cold weather.
Fertilizing and Watering in Cold Weather
Additionally, fertilizing and watering in cold winter months is key to keeping your plants that stay green in cold weather throughout the season. While the ground can be too cold for normal fertilization, you can mix in a few tablespoons of slow-release fertilizer into the soil in early autumn to provide the plants with some additional nutrition.
When it comes to watering, try to do so only when the temperatures are above freezing and the soil isn’t frozen, as this can damage the roots. With these tips in mind, your plants should remain vibrant even in cold winter weather.
Preparing for Spring Growth
Once winter has passed, it is important to prepare for the spring growth of your plants. This includes pruning overgrown shrubs, pruning to encourage new growth, and applying a thin layer of fertilizer in the spring to get your plants off to a good start. Additionally, mulching can help insulate the soil and keep it hydrated during warmer months.
Taking these steps ensures that plants in your landscape remain healthy and vigorous throughout the rest of the year. With proper care and preparation, you can enjoy the beautiful blooms and green foliage of your plants in colder temperatures, as well as more temperate weather.
Wrap Up
Winter may be a time of colder temperatures, but that doesn’t mean your landscape has to look barren! By understanding some of the plants that stay green in cold weather, you can create a winter-proof landscape that will look great all year round.
From evergreens that are hardy enough to endure even the harshest winter temps to shrubs and perennials that offer more color and texture variety, winter-proofing your landscaping doesn’t have to be a daunting task – just choose the right plants and prepare them for the changing seasons! With a little effort and care, you can have a landscape that is the envy of the neighborhood, no matter what season it is.
For help with your evergreen landscaping and other landscaping needs, choose Glover Landscapes! With 25 years of experience in the industry, our team is well equipped to help you achieve your winter-proof landscaping goals.
We know what it takes to keep your plants looking great all year long, so you can relax knowing your yard will look beautiful even in the coldest months. Call us today at (404) 510-6437 to learn more about the different options we have for winter-proofing your landscaping, and for any landscaping needs that you may have.