Have the dark, chilly days of winter gotten you down? It’s time for a dose of inspiration from the GPOD! Yes, this time of year can be a sad one for gardeners, but there is still a lot of beauty and gardening joy to be experienced even in the depths of winter.
Going through some Garden Photo of the Day (GPOD) submissions from previous years and picking out my favorites of the winter posts was a lot of fun. The obvious place to start with winter gardens is enjoying the sheer beauty of snow and ice covering plants. It may not be fun to drive in, but if you bundle up and get a mug of hot cocoa, there is a lot to enjoy in a snowy garden. And some of the GPOD contributors get creative with their winter interest and snow. Who knew that a snow-covered lawn could be a sculptural work of art?
Snow isn’t the only gardening pleasure to be had this time of year; some shrubs and perennials can bloom right through the winter, and details like the bark of trees and shrubs are worth taking in as well. Winter gardening is all about focusing in on and enjoying the little details and small beauties in the world.
And when it gets just too cold to be outside, it is time to come indoors and enjoy the wealth of beauty to be had with houseplants or terrariums. Or you can take a quick trip to the conservatory at your local botanic garden to enjoy a warm, green, flowery contrast to the dreary world outside.
I hope these posts will inspire you to enjoy your winter garden even more, and to look closely at and enjoy the beauty to be had during this dark, cold time of year.
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Garden Photo of the DayJon’s sculptural lawn in Ohio
Ornamental mowing in Ohio. -
Garden Photo of the DayHappy New Year!! 2014
Photos after a severe winter ice storm on the north shore of Lake Ontario. -
Garden Photo of the DaySally’s garden in Maryland, in winter
Berries from skimmia and nandina, evergreen shrubs, birdbaths, and more. -
Garden Photo of the DayAnd then WINTER in Terie’s garden in New York
Bare branches and dormant plants get frosted in snow. -
Garden Photo of the DayKevin’s snowy garden in Pennsylvania
Kevin's goal is to have a four-season garden, and it looks like he's conquered winter. -
Garden Photo of the DayBlooming through the Winter
Nancy has a great attitude towards her garden - her glass (and garden) is more than half full. -
Garden Photo of the DayWinter Bark
Kevin Kelly shows us how beautiful winter bark really is! -
Garden Photo of the DayEddi’s garden, indoors and out, in Ohio
While Eddi's garden outside lies sleeping under a cover of snow, the garden indoors is alive and thriving. -
Garden Photo of the DaySheila’s house in Colorado is bursting at the seams with plants!
Sheila overwinters oodles of plants in her house, until the inside begins to resemble the outside! -
Garden Photo of the DayIndoor Insiration for a Snowy Day
Unusual plant material and elements found in nature brings a taste of nature indoors. -
Garden Photo of the DaySurinder’s INDOOR garden in New Jersey
Get indoor plant envy from these huge, lush houseplants. -
Garden Photo of the DayOrchids Highlights from Longwood Gardens
Kevin Kelly hits the Orchid Extravaganza at Longwood Gardens in PA to help beat the winter blues.
