7 FAQs About Snow in the Garden

You’re probably one of two people:

“Winter is a cold, harsh reality. I just need to get through this slog.”

OR

“Winter is so beautiful, I just love seeing how magical it makes a garden look.”

Or maybe you happen to be a third type of person, one dwelling in a blissfully warm climate that never sees snow. No matter which camp you’re in, you might have questions about snow in your garden, especially if it’s rare. So I’ve answered 7 of the most common questions I get in the winter, in this article.

For my fellow winter lovers, I need to show you the overhead views our photographer caught of our trial and display gardens. I love how clear all of the paths are and how bold the tall evergreens look in their groups.

An overview of the Proven Winners ColorChoice trial garden covered in snow.
Overview of a circle shaped garden in the snow.

Soft Serve® Gold False Cypress

This one’s for gardeners with winter woes. The sunny chartreuse foliage on this evergreen is gorgeous year-round, but truly shines when it’s contrasted by the snow! Its beauty won’t be disfigured by deer browsing or burned by the sun or wind.

  • full sun (6+ hours) to part sun (4-6 hours)
  • 6-10 ft. tall and wide
  • USDA zones 4-8 (-30°F/-34.4°C)

Should I do anything to prepare my garden for winter?

Yes, here’s a short list:

– Put a 2-3″ layer of mulch around the base of your plants, but not touching any stems/branches.
– If you haven’t gotten any precipitation lately, water the garden before the ground freezes.
– Protect plants that are susceptible to winter damage.

A gardener points up at a tree.

Laugh! Take 7 seconds to relate with a fellow gardener.

A gardener points to plants while they visit Morton Arboretum.

Join us at the Morton Arboretum where we see 4 lovely shrubs.

Written by
Kristina Howley

Kristina Howley

I am all in when it comes to gardening. Almost every part of the experience delights me – new leaves emerging in spring, pollinators buzzing in summer, birds devouring berries in fall, and the somber beauty of seed heads in winter. Thanks to a background in horticulture and gardening my own clay-filled, flowery USDA zone 5b plot, I’ve learned plenty of practical things as well. I like sharing these joys and lessons with my fellow gardeners and soon-to-be gardeners any way I can.

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