Creating Interest in Winter Interest

In the new year, we think about growth and potential. Even as winter holds the landscape in quiet, our minds are on spring and summer, on how each bloom, leaf, and form will come alive. At Superbloom, we’re already designing for what’s next, shaping resilient landscapes so every season is full of life. Projects like the Populus Hotel in Denver show how careful winter planning ensures vibrant, thriving landscapes year-round.

What’s Going On in Winter Landscapes
Though winter plants may appear “dormant,” perennial species are actively preparing for spring. Native grasses like blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) maintain their upright structure, creating movement and texture even in snow. Seedheads from flowers like coneflowers and black-eyed susans provide winter habitat for birds, while hollow stems shelter pollinators and insects.

These plants slow growth and conserve energy, using seasonal cues to enter dormancy safely. Aboveground material still plays a vital ecological role, covering soil, retaining moisture, and feeding wildlife, while roots and soil systems quietly work below the surface.

Rest Now to Bloom Later
Dormancy is not inactivity; it’s preparation. Life continues beneath the surface, just as some seeds require cold and stillness before germinating. Observing winter textures—from seedheads to native grasses—reminds us of the quiet resilience in landscapes.

At Superbloom, we design with winter in mind. By planning for seasonal interest and using species that perform year-round, landscapes not only survive the cold—they thrive visually and ecologically. From the Populus Hotel to civic parks across Colorado, our designs set the stage for impactful blooms and vibrant growth in spring and summer.