Why Does a Garden Need a Backbone for Winter?

January 18th, 2022

We can all agree that evergreens are important. They’re the backbone of the garden after all. But what happens when the backbone isn’t just supporting a garden, but inspiring it? Cue colorful evergreens. They pull double duty in the garden, and this winter we’re really taking notice.

Lately, when we’re outdoors, the colors are very subdued, the temperatures are low, and it’s easy to spot our stolid companions. Usually, it’s just that though, a passing appreciation for the comfort and stability that these ordinary evergreens bring. Now, imagine seeing the addition of vibrant chartreuse or shocking blue. Suddenly the garden feels playful again, rich with color, interest, and depth!

Colorful evergreens are a delight to see in the winter, but they also skyrocket the number of interesting companion plantings you can make during the growing season! (And who isn’t doing a little scheming about their garden during the winter?) Rely on golds, chartreuses, and blues to be the beautiful backbone to your flower-filled plantings and a whole new world of possibility opens up.

Check out some of our favorite colorful, texture-rich evergreens:

Dig In

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Make ice lanterns in 6 steps with materials you can find in your garden and home.

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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