Cutting gardens have become increasingly popular the last few years. A cutting garden is planted with the intentionality to harvest for bouquets and wreaths. Most summer cutting gardens contain a mix of annuals and perennial plants including flowers, herbs, and foliage plants. Winter cutting gardens focus on evergreens, berries, seed heads, and colorful twigs. Eucalyptus, ornamental grasses, and flower heads can also be grown during the warm weather and then dried for beautiful additions to cut arrangements. A winter cutting garden allows you to extend the season of foliage to enjoy!
|
- Boxwood, Buxus spp.- Boxwood are generally plants for hedging because they are easily pruned into neat edges or interesting shapes. The bonus of this is that they tolerate frequent pruning. To shape and thin mature shrubs (and collect for decorating), prune 8- to 10-inch stems.
-
Red Twig Dogwood, Cornus sericea- While dogwood might not be the most exciting plant during the growing season, it shines during the winter months against a backdrop of white snow. These shrubs thrive in moist areas and with frequent pruning. New growth has the brightest color, so don’t be afraid to aggressively cut.
-
Conifers- Conifer evergreens are the main staple and bulk of winter gardens. Pines, spruces, arborvitae are the most common and fairly fast-growing. Cuttings provide bulk and texture to containers, but only trim from established trees. Preserve tree shape by selecting from the tree's less visible side, and always remove back to a joint or to the trunk.
-
Winterberry, Ilex verticillata- Bright red berries are stunning and bring holiday color and cheer. Unlike holly, they drop their green leaves in the fall to reveal berry loaded branches for the winter. The berries also attract wildlife. Winterberry doesn’t tolerate heavy pruning, so harvest only when needed for displays.
-
Birch, Betula sp.- Birch with its stunning white bark and peeling textures provides beautiful contrast against darker greens. Once leaves drop, cut lower branches from mature trees or thin upper ones. Birch frequently “self prune” and drop branches, so you may not have to cut heavily.
-
Accent Evergreens- Gold and blue conifers bring color and texture to wreaths and yards. False cypress, juniper, blue spruce, and yews are the most popular. These are often smaller shrubs, so mass plantings may be required if you plan to harvest heavily.
|
Finding the correct location can ensure your success; keeping the plants healthy during the growing season will help ensure that there is plenty of bounty for you to cut during the winter. Remember to cut no more than ⅓ of the entirety of the shrub to prevent over extending the resources of the plant. Ideally, harvest cuttings after a snow or winter rain. Using the proper equipment to cut ensures your safety and the longevity of the cuttings; pruners, a floral knife, shears and snips will all come in handy when gathering materials. To extend their life, place branches in water to fully hydrate them, then spray the needles or leaves with an antidesiccant (like Wilt Pruf) to seal the cuticle and slow down drying.
Find more information here: https://extension.psu.edu/growing-cut-flowers-for-joy
|
|
|
Something eating your plant? Need help identifying a tree? Interested in the best way to care for your lawn? Submit your questions online!
|
|
|
| Kaitlin Bricco, Horticulture Educator |
|
|
An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
3365 W Brewster St None | Appleton, WI 54914 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
| |
|
|
