Winter is commonly imagined as the “dead season” in the garden. On the contrary, it can display beauty equal to that of spring, summer, and fall when planned and stewarded correctly. At Tree of Life, we always design and plant for four seasons, creating living outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed year round. To tell the story of this forgotten season, we took a walk through the wintery Denver Botanic Gardens. Now, let the colors, textures, and feelings of winter transport you to a new experience of year-round landscape beauty.

Orange and green contrast and the winter texture of Hydrangea arborescens gives incredible form to this snowy bench scene.

Blocks of contrasting colors and forms set the stage for the garden sitting area.

Bold color and texture draw the eye to the details of the plant.

Coneflower seedheads speckle the landscape and create rhythm among the layers of color, form, and texture.

Snow sticks to evergreen foliage and beautiful seedheads.

A winter composition brings out deep beauty in the landscape.

Vivid colors emerge beneath the snow shower.

A wintery grassland displays its plant species diversity.

Seedheads project like fireworks against a background of light grasses.

*Nassella tenuissima feathers its neighboring agave.*

Yarrow holds its seedhead like a platter for snow collection.

Panicum holds its bold form and texture throughout the winter as a pillar in the garden.

Evergreen Arctostaphylos cascades over concrete walls.