A wonderful thing about living in New England is the annual seasonal changes that come almost like clockwork. Spring, summer, and fall bring the natural world to life. Green becomes a dominant landscape color. Garden perennials and native wildflowers begin to grow. Bulbs pop through the soil after a long-needed rest. Trees and woody shrubs blossom. Summer brings blooms of glorious colors from gardens to hills, and valleys, and even the seashore. Then comes fall, with it’s stunning foliage in every shade of red, orange and gold. The days get cooler and shorter until one can’t ignore what’s coming : winter, the season of grays and browns.
As winter approaches, those of us who love to create botanical art begin to fret. Where will we find subjects to portray? I was once one of those anxious people, but over the years, I’ve found plenty to sketch, draw and paint in the dreary months from the winter solstice in December to the spring solstice in March. I’d like to share some of these ideas with you.
Winter subjects
Dead to the world. Outside, trees and plants we love look dead, even when we know they are not. Others are waiting for new underground growth to re-appear come spring. As a botanical artist, one must admit the one great benefit of dormant or dead plants: they do not change before your very eyes such as a tulip opening in a single painting session. That’s right. They sit and pose for as long as it takes you to finish. Think dried hydrangea flowers along with their leaves and seed pods in subtle shades of gray, brown, purple and blue. Open milkweed pods after sending seeds to the wind.
Composing for future art works. A second way to use the winter is to plan for botanical compositions to come. Let me explain. Do you have some favorite plants that you like to portray, but you find it hard to accurately depict connections because leaves and even blossoms just get in the way? This happens to me all the time with a flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) in my front yard. After several years of frustration, I decided to try and capture the branches, connections, and even part of the habit during winter and to go to the exact place again once the tree bloomed. Tree and shrub structure and habit are also easier to map out without foliage. I find newly fallen snow an ideal highlight along trunks and branches.
Snow on woody plants highlight the structure and habit. Photos © Diane Piktialis 2016
Visit arboreta and botanical gardens. About the last place one thinks of going in the dead of winter is a botanical garden or arboretum. Maybe for a spring outing on Lilac Sunday (the Arnold Arboretum) or Daffodil Month (Tower Hill Botanical Garden), but in winter? Think again. William (Ned) Friedman, Director of the Arnold Arboretum, publishes a regular Newsletter, describing what’s happening on his frequent walks. According to him, “There is something in bloom 365 days a year in the Arnold Arboretum.” Friedman is also a fabulous photographer and posts his nearly daily photos on his Instagram account. You can follow him on his Instagram account: @nedfriedman. Or on his “Director’s Posts from the Collection” at
William (Ned) Friedman via arboretum-harvard.ccsend.com
I was recently at the Arboretum (1-15-21) to sketch a species of Witch Hazel (Hammamelis vernalis) that I have not yet added to my collection of witch hazel paintings. Below is a photo I took, and a painting that is now in progress from that cold winter day.
Hammamelis vernalis © Diane Piktialis 2021
The recent NESBA online exhibit, “Tis the Season….. for Winter Wonders”, showed a wide range of winter botanical subjects just waiting for someone to give them permanency in works of art.
Winter Plant and Tree Identification
Another botanical pursuit in winter is the identification of plants and trees using books and guides. Below is a list of several, all of which can be found on Amazon. Before purchasing any specific book, read reviews to make sure a choice meets your needs.
Identifying Trees of the East: An All-Season Guide to Eastern North America
by Michael D. Williams | Jun 1, 2017
by May T. Watts and Tom Watts | Jan 1, 1970
by Earl L. Core and Nelle P. Ammons | Jan 1, 1999
A Guide to Wildflowers in Winter: Herbaceous Plants of Northeastern North America
by Carol Levine and Dick Rauh | Aug 30, 1995
Identification of Trees and Shrubs in Winter Using Buds and Twigs
by Bernd Schulz , Monika Shaffer-Fehre, et al. | May 15, 2018
Winter Botany: An Identification Guide to Native Trees and Shrubs by William Trelease | Nov 10, 2011
When All Else Fails
There’s always Trader Joes, Whole Foods and florists in other markets. I particularly like Trader Joes because of their broad selection, freshness, and their amazing affordability. Just when you can’t face another shade of brown or gray, and need a jolt of a beautiful, brilliantly colored flower, take a trip to TJs . Take your pick from Orchids, Calla Lilly plants, Hellebores and so much more. You won’t be sorry.
Inspired to take on winter? Don’t delay. Many wondrous winter botanicals await you!
By, Diane Piktialis