Pacific Northwest December Garden Checklist: Armchair Gardening

When my children were young, we enjoyed leisurely English countryside walks. My mind wandered to dinner plans; they splashed puddles, spotted orange lichen, touched velvety moss on ancient walls—fully immersed in the present.

The Art of Armchair Gardening

If December gardening means sitting by a roaring fire viewing your garden through the window—I'm with you!

Le jardinet

Observation is key to good design. We forget to look up while digging, weeding, pruning. Snow blankets reveal silhouettes and shadows without color distraction.

The Garden Consultants, Inc.

Time to Take Notes

What winter highlights exist? Note and photograph what works and doesn't. Arbors, pergolas, fences become prominent snow-covered features. Benches entice in winter as in summer.

Le jardinet

A splash of color creates instant focal points—not just from plants. This winter-hardy glass sculpture works year-round; cool blues complement evergreen backdrops.

Tom Debley

Planting Ideas

Winter favorites: redtwig dogwoods (Cornus sericea), evergreens, winter-hardy grasses like feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora). Winter vignettes beat single conifers. Example: redtwig dogwoods striking against ghostly quaking aspens (Populus tremuloides).

Le jardinet

Winter Container Gardens

Spruce up containers in minutes: tuck in decorations, cones, cut evergreen boughs.

Gardener's Supply Company Apple Bird Feeders

Feed the Birds

Remember feathered friends! I include Parney cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus) for robin-enjoyed fruit. Add feeders if natural sources scarce. Keep shallow water dish available.

Bring Your Garden Inside

Force bulbs indoors for weeks-away blooms. Fragrant paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) are popular and easy.

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) forced similarly for spectacular holiday displays or gifts.

Forum Phi Architecture | Interiors | Planning

Pull your chair to the fire and appreciate your year's accomplishments. Grab your computer (not shovel) and create ideabooks for next year. Extra log on the fire first. Happy holidays!