Bringing the Inside Out

Urbane Bronze – it was the color of 2021 from a prominent paint company in New England and highly favored amongst interior decorators. We always aim for a seamless integration from inside to outside and what better way than to continue this color into the landscape. It is a dark almost black/bronze/and reminded me of the brown bronze color of deciduous trees and shrubs and perennials that adorn the winter landscape.

Ice crystals frosting the inflorescence of ornamental grass.

Grass seed heads catching snowflakes for a winter display.

Many of our clients have started to see the value – both ecologically and aesthetically – to not cut back perennials and grasses in winter but to leave the seed heads and flower remains on the plant until spring. Flower and seed heads take on many shapes and structures once all the colorful petals and leaves are gone and the appeal lies in the many varied shapes and textures that forms silhouettes against snowy backgrounds.

Bee balm seed heads have helped to feed seed eating birds in late fall.

The beautiful geometry of Echinacea seed heads in fall.

Hydrangea macrophylla’s dried flowers last throughout winter.

Allium seedheads form tiny starburst in the winter garden.

The cone shaped flower of Hydrangea paniculata

Let It Be

We recently visited one of our clients gardens who left all his hydrangeas, coneflowers, bee balm and rudbekias uncut. Instead of a stark empty garden, his landscape was dressed in its wintercoat and the garden path lead us through fields of dried hydrangea heads, bubbles of beebalm and spikey arrays of coneflower seeds.

What often may seem “dead” to us means “ripe and ready” to many seed-eating birds. This clients garden was frequented by many songbirds such us gold finches and tree sparrows throughout the Fall who needed the last bit of nutrients offered to make the long migration.

The tiny seed heads of Echinacea dots the landscape contrasting with the blonde grass left uncut for winter.

Sunflower seed heads left to let seed ripen and feed the birds long after the petals have fallen to the ground.

Uncut perennials and grasses together with foliage of evergreens add interest and color to the winter garden.

Astilbe flower heads add texture to a shady area

Sedum flower stalks add texture to a snow covered landscape.

Some of our favorite plant silhouettes are:

Sunflowers
Bee balm
Bergamot
New England asters
Coneflower
Hydrangeas – big and small – we love them all!

Winter Grasses

Tall uncut ornamental grasses add softness and height and leaving the beautiful flax-colored grass seed tufts tall uncut provide texture and interest all through the winter. It also helps to protect the grow point at the base of the stems from extreme cold and give shelter to small birds, mammals and protect insect eggs that provide larvae to nesting birds in spring. The seed tufts also collect snow and creates beautiful mobiles gently swaying in the breeze.

These grasses continue to entertain well into the winter.

Snow-covered grasses add shape and interest to a resting garden.

Our favorite winter landscape grass species are:

Karl Foester grass
Miscanthus grasses
feathery reed grass
Festucas and Carexes

The Perfect Time

At a Blade of Grass we take care to design and install year-round interest to your garden all whilst silently conserving habitat and contribute to a healthier ecosystem through sustainable garden practices. And while it may seem a long way off, Spring is the perfect time to plan your silhouette winter garden!

Design Ideas, Ecosystem, Habitat, Winter

a Blade of Grass

Featured in publications including Martha Stewart, New England Home, Design New England and The Boston Globe, a Blade of Grass has earned the reputation for lending a fresh perspective in landscape design. We offer a variety of services including award-winning design, installation and maintenance throughout Boston and the Boston Metro West area.