Winter might feel like a time to hibernate, but for your garden, it’s actually one of the best times to get planting. Whether you’re adding structure with trees or filling gaps with hardy perennials and grasses, winter gives your plants the slow, steady start they need to thrive.
🌱 Why Plant in Winter?
Unlike the bustling spring and summer seasons, winter offers cool, moist conditions that help plants settle in with less stress. Here’s why it’s smart to plant now:
•Less watering required: The cooler temperatures and natural rainfall reduce the need for constant watering.
•Establishment time: Roots can settle in over winter, ready to grow strong when spring arrives.
•Better survival rates: Plants are less likely to suffer from heat shock or transplant stress.
•More time for planning: With a slower pace, winter is a great time to think long-term and make thoughtful plant choices.
🌿 Choosing the Right Plant for the Right Place
This is key to a healthy, low-maintenance garden. Ask yourself:
• Is the spot sunny or shady?
•Grasses, flaxes, hebes, and native shrubs thrive in sun.
•Ferns, kawakawa, and rengarenga lilies are great for shade.
• What’s the soil like?
•Poor drainage? Consider plants like junctus, oioi or carex secta that handle wet feet.
•Sandy or dry? Look to hardy natives like corokia or coprosma.
• Wind exposure?
•Use sheltering species like pittosporum or griselinia to protect softer plants.
• Is it a feature area or backdrop?
•Use striking forms like astelia or sculpture-like trees in focal spots.
We always say: “Right plant, right place = less stress and less maintenance.”
🌳 What Size Tree Should I Plant?
It’s tempting to go for the biggest tree at the nursery, but bigger isn’t always better.
•Smaller trees (1–2L or PB3–5) often establish faster, adapt better, and catch up quickly to larger ones.
•Larger trees (25L–45L or more) offer instant impact but require more care: regular watering, sturdy staking, and sometimes root pruning.
💡 Pro tip: If you’re planting on a slope or exposed site, go smaller and give them protection — they’ll reward you with strong, wind-adapted growth.
🌱 How to Plant Well in Winter
1. Dig the hole twice as wide as the pot and just as deep.
2.Loosen the soil around the hole to make it easier for roots to spread.
3.Add compost or organic matter, but don’t overdo it — native plants are used to lean soils.
4.Water the plant well before removing from the pot.
5.Place it in the hole and backfill gently, firming the soil around it.
6.Water again thoroughly, even if it’s wet weather. This helps eliminate air pockets.
7.Mulch around the base (but not touching the stem) to keep roots moist and reduce weeds.
🌧️ Quick Tips for Wet Winter Planting
•Avoid digging in saturated soil — wait a day or two if it’s squishy.
•Use gravel or coarse mulch around base to help with drainage.
•Stake young trees if your site is exposed to wind.
Ready to Get Planting?
At Naturescapes, we love winter planting. It’s when the groundwork gets laid for lush, thriving spring gardens. Whether you’re planting one tree or designing a whole landscape, we can help you choose the right plants, in the right sizes, for the right places.
Have questions? Want help with planting or plant sourcing? Get in touch — we’re happy to help or get stuck in ourselves.