Welcome to Mid-Winter. I try to be present and get outside for a little bit each day. It helps me realize that things happen at their given time. Winter is a reflective part of the year. It is time to look back at photos you took of your garden and do a bit of research for what you’d like to try this coming season.
In my yard, I struggle with wanting a completely native yard but also wanting it to be somewhat planned. Seems like an oxymoron; but there are places that need help, and I am trying with natives as well as non native perennials to get them going. I cannot help loving some of the plants that I have had growing in other gardens of my past. So, I compromise with a few beds that I can plant as I like and then the majority of the yard (about 90%) being native.

We completely hit the jackpot with this land already having 20 plus mature oaks, a few pines, a maple, and a shagbark hickory. Last year, I added 10 redbuds as well as some ninebark and sumac that continues to be nibbled on by the deer. Each year, I buy a ton of natives and throw them out about now, in Mid-Winter, to meet the recommendations for cold stratification. This year, I added quite a few missing plants in the scene. Looking at part shade and complete shade possibilities, I ended up sowing/throwing over the snow.
Woodland Sunflower
Pink Shooting Star
Sweet Joe Pye Weed
Solomon Seal
Solomon Plume
Lead Plant
Columbine
Ozark Bluestar
Clustered Poppy Mallow
Wild Hyacinth
Purple Clematis (which I hope really takes off to cover our fence)
Prairie Lily
Sundial Lupine
Missouri Evening Primrose
Pink Violet
Wild Strawberry
Passion Flower (it is hardy to zone 5)
Prairie Phlox
WIld Senna
Bellwort
As well as a three pack of Jersey Tea Shrub (this is something I tried by seed and didn’t succeed with last year). *all of the above are available at Prairie Moon Nursery*
In the scheme of the gardener’s year, it’s a great time to purchase seeds, natives to sow now, annuals to start indoors, or perhaps some perennials to get started. Spring will be here before we know it. I know how happy all us gardeners will be.