Transforming Your Flower Bed
for Winter
As the seasons change, many gardeners will transition their flower beds from summer to winter annuals. There are several things you can do so your garden remains aesthetically pleasing through the colder months.
Timing is Key
Although the weather may still feel warm, it's important to prepare your garden for winter. Establishing new plants while temperatures are still mild allows them to root properly before the cold sets in. This will help your plants survive and grow even during the harshest winter months. It will also allow the winter plants to be ready to grow rapidly and bloom when the weather warms up in the spring.
Cleaning and Preparing the Bed
Once cleared of existing plants, the soil should be leveled, and a light application of fertilizer added to provide essential nutrients for new plantings. A slow-release fertilizer works best, as it gradually nourishes plants over time without burning their roots. Also, if you want to mulch, do it now before planting. You can easily plant through the mulch.
Selecting Winter Annuals
Pansies and dianthus are great selections for winter gardens. These hardy flowers not only thrive in cooler temperatures but also add beautiful color to your landscape. When planting, consider a patchwork layout rather than strict rows to create a more natural and visually appealing arrangement.
For a unique twist, consider incorporating edible plants into your flower bed. Swiss chard, with its colorful stalks, serves as an excellent focal point. When planting any flowers from a container, remember to keep the soil level consistent with the original planting containers for optimal growth.
Tips for Plant Shopping
When purchasing plants, look for healthy specimens with vibrant green leaves and a few blossoms so you know what color they will be. Checking the roots is also important; make sure they are healthy and preferably not too root bound.
Conclusion
With careful planning and the right plant selections, your flower bed can transition into winter, providing both beauty and interest through the colder months. By incorporating a mix of ornamental and edible plants, you can create a vibrant landscape that endures the chill of winter and provides some greens for the kitchen.
This is the 18th time Joellen has planted in this bed. Follow the progress over the last 9 years:
Planting Spring Annuals: SunPatiens, Sweet Potato Vine, and Blue Ageratum (2024): https://youtu.be/4Y93rFDAZQQ
Planting Dusty Miller and Violas (2023): https://youtu.be/6XgmbkiuA44
Planting Coleus, Pentas and Vinca (2023): https://youtu.be/rX_JL5RVyT8
Planting Wave Pansies and Snapdragons (2022): https://youtu.be/-gKIexydoP0
Planting Salvia, Petunias and Marigolds (2022): https://youtu.be/spIR1RWWos8
Planting Wave Pansies and Snapdragons (2021): https://youtu.be/-gKIexydoP0
Planting Scaevola, Pentas and Vinca (2021): https://youtu.be/IXyvpwZdtpM
Planting Pansies and Tulips for Winter and Spring Color (2020): https://youtu.be/q_KC5NImM3Q
Planting Tropical Hibiscus and Begonias (2020): https://youtu.be/B1FPkBZGSE4
Planting Daffodils, Dianthus, and Pansies (2019): https://youtu.be/Uxkwe7bM3aA
Planting Sunpatiens, Joseph's Coat, and Colocasia (2019): https://youtu.be/WF7yZmLVP8E
Planting Fall Flowers (2018): https://youtu.be/rajzfx4CfcA
Planting Summer Flowers (2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hcq5QZBqGU
Planting Dusty Miller and Pansies (2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INCjtP7Nra8
Planting Petunias, Vinca, and Salvia (2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU3nCIOao5g
Planting Fall Flowers (2016): www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMe9SSz6sF4
Planting Summer Flowers (2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh_kK0snShI
Related Videos:
Fall and Winter Flowers
Planting Pansies and Tulips for Winter and Spring Color
Spice up a Drab Winter Landscape
Related Resources:
Success with Pansies in the Winter Landscape
Darling Dianthus
Spring Flowering Bulbs: Daffodils
Dusty Miller, Senecio cineraria
Timing is Key
Although the weather may still feel warm, it's important to prepare your garden for winter. Establishing new plants while temperatures are still mild allows them to root properly before the cold sets in. This will help your plants survive and grow even during the harshest winter months. It will also allow the winter plants to be ready to grow rapidly and bloom when the weather warms up in the spring.
Cleaning and Preparing the Bed
Once cleared of existing plants, the soil should be leveled, and a light application of fertilizer added to provide essential nutrients for new plantings. A slow-release fertilizer works best, as it gradually nourishes plants over time without burning their roots. Also, if you want to mulch, do it now before planting. You can easily plant through the mulch.
Selecting Winter Annuals
Pansies and dianthus are great selections for winter gardens. These hardy flowers not only thrive in cooler temperatures but also add beautiful color to your landscape. When planting, consider a patchwork layout rather than strict rows to create a more natural and visually appealing arrangement.
For a unique twist, consider incorporating edible plants into your flower bed. Swiss chard, with its colorful stalks, serves as an excellent focal point. When planting any flowers from a container, remember to keep the soil level consistent with the original planting containers for optimal growth.
Tips for Plant Shopping
When purchasing plants, look for healthy specimens with vibrant green leaves and a few blossoms so you know what color they will be. Checking the roots is also important; make sure they are healthy and preferably not too root bound.
Conclusion
With careful planning and the right plant selections, your flower bed can transition into winter, providing both beauty and interest through the colder months. By incorporating a mix of ornamental and edible plants, you can create a vibrant landscape that endures the chill of winter and provides some greens for the kitchen.
This is the 18th time Joellen has planted in this bed. Follow the progress over the last 9 years:
Planting Spring Annuals: SunPatiens, Sweet Potato Vine, and Blue Ageratum (2024): https://youtu.be/4Y93rFDAZQQ
Planting Dusty Miller and Violas (2023): https://youtu.be/6XgmbkiuA44
Planting Coleus, Pentas and Vinca (2023): https://youtu.be/rX_JL5RVyT8
Planting Wave Pansies and Snapdragons (2022): https://youtu.be/-gKIexydoP0
Planting Salvia, Petunias and Marigolds (2022): https://youtu.be/spIR1RWWos8
Planting Wave Pansies and Snapdragons (2021): https://youtu.be/-gKIexydoP0
Planting Scaevola, Pentas and Vinca (2021): https://youtu.be/IXyvpwZdtpM
Planting Pansies and Tulips for Winter and Spring Color (2020): https://youtu.be/q_KC5NImM3Q
Planting Tropical Hibiscus and Begonias (2020): https://youtu.be/B1FPkBZGSE4
Planting Daffodils, Dianthus, and Pansies (2019): https://youtu.be/Uxkwe7bM3aA
Planting Sunpatiens, Joseph's Coat, and Colocasia (2019): https://youtu.be/WF7yZmLVP8E
Planting Fall Flowers (2018): https://youtu.be/rajzfx4CfcA
Planting Summer Flowers (2018): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hcq5QZBqGU
Planting Dusty Miller and Pansies (2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INCjtP7Nra8
Planting Petunias, Vinca, and Salvia (2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU3nCIOao5g
Planting Fall Flowers (2016): www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMe9SSz6sF4
Planting Summer Flowers (2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh_kK0snShI
Related Videos:
Fall and Winter Flowers
Planting Pansies and Tulips for Winter and Spring Color
Spice up a Drab Winter Landscape
Related Resources:
Success with Pansies in the Winter Landscape
Darling Dianthus
Spring Flowering Bulbs: Daffodils
Dusty Miller, Senecio cineraria