When the snowflakes begin to fly and the ground becomes frozen solid, many gardeners start to lament the end of the season. Sadly, for much of the country, the planting and digging are mostly over. The one thing that can keep the gardening season going in the colder months—regardless of where you live—is winter container gardening. By now it’s safe to assume that those fall pots are looking pretty bedraggled. Perhaps you still have a few dead mums hanging out on the front stoop (no judgments!) It can be tough to get all those fall chores done in a timely fashion. But now is definitely the time to grab that trowel, give those mums the heave-ho, and get your pots ready for the holiday season ahead.
Winter containers are not simply limited to cut evergreen branches. In this collection of articles you’ll find an assortment of inspiring designs that use living plants, garden gleanings, and even some unique decorative accents. We never knew that dried seedpods and glass mulch could be so gorgeous. The designers behind these pots are from milder locales like Seattle but also places like Minnesota, where winter containers need to look good from December to April—or even May depending on the year!
Dive into the collection below and you’re sure to be inspired to go beyond the typical holly branches stuck into the tops of your entry urns. Much to our surprise, one of these designers even managed to make dwarf Alberta spruces (Picea glauca ‘Conica’, Zones 3–6) look cool for Christmas. Here is a sampling of what else you’ll find to make the gardening off-season especially holly and jolly:
- Tips on using hardy plants and fresh-cut boughs in the perfect ratio
- Designs to fit every style from modern to traditional
- Upcycled material suggestions to make your containers truly unique
- Durable plant options to carry you and your pots into the new year
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DesignThe Best Winter Containers From Outdoor Planters to Window Boxes
Celebrate the season by using hardy plants and fresh-cut boughs -
Kiss My AsterWinter Containers: The Good, But Possibly Iffy (Part 2)
These containers might not be everyone's style, but there is no doubt that they make whoever owns them smile -
DesignIt’s Never Too Cold for Containers
When temperatures drop, get creative with cuttings and cold-hardy plants -
The DirtContainer Plantings for Wintry Settings
Even more spectacular container designs from Scott Endres in Minnesota -
DesignContainers That Celebrate Fall and Winter
These durable, decorative plantings will carry you from mid-fall into the new year -
DesignUncommon Options for Winter Containers
Check out this unique and sustainable approach to container design
