THE WINTER WALKTHROUGH
Horticulture|November - December 2023
WHEN THE GROWING SEASON SLOWS, TAKE TIME TO PLAN STRUCTURAL CHANGES GUIDED BY ONE SIMPLE PRINCIPLE
JENNIFER SMITH
THE WINTER WALKTHROUGH

Have you ever looked at a garden and it seemed to get lost to its backdrop? Without visual guides created by an overarching structure, the eye doesn't know where to rest, or where to register the end of a garden. When this happens, the garden becomes confused in its setting.

Thoughtfully placed objects, trees and shrubs solve the problem. Knowing where to add these elements simply requires a slow walk around the garden. And winter is the ideal season for such a walk, as these items are the ones that do not retreat with the first killing frost.

Above: Twiggy deciduous shrubs, broadleaf evergreens, grasslike sedges and evergreen ferns carry the winter show in this border. Imagine the space without them.

Below: The yellow bench identifies this secluded corner as a spot to bundle up and enjoy the play of winter color and texture.

Below: Small trees with interesting architecture anchor a garden vignette all year. This one frames a stand of winter-blooming hellebores.

In a small garden, just a few structural elements can suffice to define the space, but on larger property it helps to create vignettes-mini gardens that make up a unified, cohesive garden plan. Each vignette needs its own organizing details (though these may be shared, such as a hedge that plays backdrop to abutting spaces). Possible focal points of a garden vignette include a specimen tree or shrub, a bench, an urn or statue, a small water feature or a birdbath.

A SIMPLE PRINCIPLE

There's a pro-design principle that makes it very easy to perfect a garden's overall structure: earth, man and sky.

This story is from the November - December 2023 edition of Horticulture.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November - December 2023 edition of Horticulture.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HORTICULTUREView All
GAGA FOR GALANTHUS
Horticulture

GAGA FOR GALANTHUS

As easy as they are irresistible, snowdrops boast a devoted and growing following

time-read
6 mins  |
September - October 2024
NEW PLANTS
Horticulture

NEW PLANTS

Multiseason Marvels

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
BLUEBERRIES & CO.
Horticulture

BLUEBERRIES & CO.

Members of the genus Vaccinium provide sweet flavor, health benefits and beauty in the garden

time-read
5 mins  |
September - October 2024
AN ECOLOGICAL AGREEMENT
Horticulture

AN ECOLOGICAL AGREEMENT

How three great minds think alike

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
Take It Indoors
Horticulture

Take It Indoors

Cs the growing season dwindles, _ potted cittus became a summer souuenir

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
ROOTED IN PLACE
Horticulture

ROOTED IN PLACE

LAYERING IS A PROPAGATION TECHNIQUE THAT TAKES A WHILE TO COMPLETE, BUT IT DEMANDS LITTLE EFFORT FROM THE GARDENER

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
AT HOME WITH PLANTS
Horticulture

AT HOME WITH PLANTS

Business travel and pleasure trips helped inspire this Cincinnati garden

time-read
6 mins  |
September - October 2024
THE GARDEN GOES DARK
Horticulture

THE GARDEN GOES DARK

Yes, gardens have their dark side. But-surprise! A garden's darkness can be good, not sinister.

time-read
7 mins  |
September - October 2024
LOW-WATER WONDERS
Horticulture

LOW-WATER WONDERS

EXPLORE ONE PLANTSMAN'S DROUGHT-TOLERANT FAVORITES FOR EACH LEVEL OF THE GARDEN

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
Succeed With Succession- The best crops to plant throughout summer, plus how to time them right
Horticulture

Succeed With Succession- The best crops to plant throughout summer, plus how to time them right

The best crops to plant throughout summer, plus how to time them right. Once a crop like spring turnips or snap peas has finished, I tidy up the bed, amend the soil with a thin layer of compost and replant. Depending on the new crop, I may be sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings.

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2024