The busiest, most colourful corner of the garden in winter is the birdfeeder. A steady stream of birds flit in and out, brightening some otherwise dreary days. I placed our Christmas tree near the feeder so that it can enjoy a second career as a bird shelter. It looks just as pretty decorated with snow as it did with Christmas ornaments.
The winter garden isn’t as eye-catching as it will be in June, but with the crisp, white backdrop of snow, there are still interesting textures and shaped to admire. I usually just turn my birdbath dish upside-down, and I like the little white cap it wears all winter.
My resident garden raccoon looks pretty cute too, peeking out from a snowy blanket.
I never clean up my garden in the fall. I leave all the seedheads and litter in place until the spring so that the birds can forage for any bounty the plants might offer, and insects and other tiny critters can shelter under dead leaves. But I am also a beneficiary. The stalks and seedheads add interest to the yard. Shown above is a coneflower, with swirls of grass blades in the background.
And here is Coreopsis verticillata “Moonbeam”. It’s delicate stems make a lacy pattern in the snow.
The largest coreopsis in my garden is Coreopsis grandiflora “Mayfield Giant”
The flat heads of the sedum capture little pillows of snow.
I planted this little corkscrew hazel (Corylus avellana), currently about 2 feet tall, near the birdfeeder with an eye to providing winter interest and perching spots as the plant gets bigger. I bought it late in the season, and it was hard to tell how healthy it was, since it’s already twisted and gnarled-looking. If it doesn’t survive the winter, I’ll try again in the spring.
There is still a bit of colour to be found, even in winter. Below, the rose hips add a touch of red.
Willow House Chronicles 
There is always beauty to be seen. You just have to look a little harder in the winter.
barefootheart — weeds in winter are important for all the reasons you mentioned. Your photos make a statement about the beauty of leaving your plants in their natural state through the winter.– barbara
Louise, it’s true. I don’t even find I need to look harder. I just have to fight that urge to rush inside where it’s warmer!
Thank you, Barbara. It would be such a waste to clear it all away in the fall.
I do love the sculptural look of plant husks in the winter. I love the echinacea’s spiky flower heads, and one of my favourites is hydrangea, which I think looks almost as lovely dead as alive. That corkscrew hazel is fun — I wonder if we could find room for one!
Eyegillian, I have to agree on the hyrdrangea. Mine looks lovely too. I notice that Corkscrew hazel is listed in this month’s Canadian Gardening Special Issue as one of the top ten for winter interest. They call it “Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick”. I’ve heard of this name, but never met anyone who actually used it! It has the potential to get big, but all reports are that in our climate it rarely reaches its potential. Hope you can find a spot for one.