Winter is still in full force here in New England and while those snowy landscapes can look scenic, a barren garden may not.
One of the best ways to keep yourself and your tenants happy is to make sure lawn areas and gardens are kept up, even throughout the winter. A pop of color, a vivid evergreen or a few edible crops can really make a difference in your community space.
It might seem counterintuitive to plant in winter or expect anything to bloom in the cold, but there are actually many options for winter plants that do well on even the coldest and snowiest New England day.
Here are our three favorite wintertime plants that will continue to survive and thrive. So, rake up those leftover dead leaves, pull out those weeds and get started planting your winter garden.
1. Winterberry Holly
You can probably guess by the name that this plant does well throughout the cold weather. Their bright red berries are an iconic winter scene. Their branches are also often used in decorative floral arrangements. These plants also attract and provide food for local birds.
Winterberry is also native to the Northeast, so it does well in our soil. It’s generally very easy to care for and is resistant to most pests and diseases.
2. Juniper and evergreens
When you think of evergreens, you might picture giant towering trees. But there are tons of evergreen bushes you can plant around your community, as well. And they don’t just come in the green variety. Some features shades of blue, red and golden yellow, too. These will remain colorful throughout the winter and are a great way to add privacy to your property.
There are lots of great options here, but our some of our favorite colorful choices:
Gold Lace Juniper. This evergreen scrub becomes bright yellow during the summer. During the winter, it turns a deeper yellow-green hue. It’s a great option for ground cover.
Blue Pacific Juniper. This plant showcases a beautiful blue hue. It’s also particularly aromatic, giving you that deep Evergreen smell all year long. Like the Gold Lace above, it also tends to grow wide and flat, making it a great ground cover option.
Sky Rocket Juniper. If you’d like something a little taller, try the Sky Rocket. As its name implies, it tends to grow straight up into the air, like a rocket in the sky! It’s a great option if you’re looking for a few accent bushes. It also features a bluish color and because of its shape, it’s a great option for a privacy fence or to add some visual interest. It also requires very little care once planted.
3. Carrots
You might not think of beauty when you think about planting vegetables, but these are great options for your community.
As you and your tenants can start to feel overwhelmed by the constant grey of winter, that fresh orange pop of color will add joy and hope to the atmosphere.
Carrots are beautiful, but they’re also incredibly nutrient-dense. For such a mild and slightly sweet vegetable, carrots bring a LOT to the table in terms of making your body feel like it runs its best through the cold months. Carrots provide vitamin C like cabbage, so they can also stave off the sniffles, but also carrots can provide a burst of energy that feels incredibly necessary for one’s sluggish winter body.
Carrots have long roots that are amazingly effective at bringing them the necessary nutrients to grow, even when you think they should be frozen.
Here in Hampton, we’re lucky enough to have lots of plant nurseries and garden centers to choose from. If we’ve inspired you to grow your winter garden, here are a couple of the best places to stock up on seeds and supplies!
Rolling Green Nursery
North Hill Nursery
Stay warm and happy planting! And as always, feel free to contact us about all of your New Hampshire property rental needs.
