Winter Container Inspiration

When the snowflakes begin to fly and the ground becomes frozen solid, many gardeners start to lament the end of the season. Sadly, for much of the country, the planting and digging are mostly over. The one thing that can keep the gardening season going in the colder months—regardless of where you live—is winter container gardening. By now it’s safe to assume that those fall pots are looking pretty bedraggled. Perhaps you still have a few dead mums hanging out on the front stoop (no judgments!) It can be tough to get all those fall chores done in a timely fashion. But now is definitely the time to grab that trowel, give those mums the heave-ho, and get your pots ready for the holiday season ahead.

Winter containers are not simply limited to cut evergreen branches. In this collection of articles you’ll find an assortment of inspiring designs that use living plants, garden gleanings, and even some unique decorative accents. We never knew that dried seedpods and glass mulch could be so gorgeous. The designers behind these pots are from milder locales like Seattle but also places like Minnesota, where winter containers need to look good from December to April—or even May depending on the year!

Dive into the collection below and you’re sure to be inspired to go beyond the typical holly branches stuck into the tops of your entry urns. Much to our surprise, one of these designers even managed to make dwarf Alberta spruces (Picea glauca ‘Conica’, Zones 3–6) look cool for Christmas. Here is a sampling of what else you’ll find to make the gardening off-season especially holly and jolly:

• Tips on using hardy plants and fresh-cut boughs in the perfect ratio
• Designs to fit every style from modern to traditional
• Upcycled material suggestions to make your containers truly unique
• Durable plant options to carry you and your pots into the new year

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw

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You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm

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Scotts Cordless Grass-Shear/Shrub-Trimmer Combo

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With a built-in 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery, this little guy weighs less than 2 lb. and can zip through all your minor pruning tasks quickly and easily.
- 13.5 x 3 x 5 inches
- Uses a 7.2-Volt 2Ah high-capacity built-in lithium-ion battery; Includes a fast charger

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The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees

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The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.

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  The Best Winter Containers From Outdoor Planters to Window Boxes

  Celebrate the season by using hardy plants and fresh-cut boughs
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  Kiss My Aster

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  These containers might not be everyone's style, but there is no doubt that they make whoever owns them smile
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  It’s Never Too Cold for Containers

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  Container Plantings for Wintry Settings

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  Containers That Celebrate Fall and Winter

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  Uncommon Options for Winter Containers

  Check out this unique and sustainable approach to container design