Tom Atwell

Rhododendron leaves look lovely in winter, with fleshy green leaves and spring buds. If it gets really cold, though, the leaves shrivel and roll, as a protective measure, which may not be as pretty, but it is interesting. Lapis2380/Shutterstock A wonderful thing about having a garden at your home is that it is yours. You can grow whatever you want, wherever you want. It’s right outside your door and always available, as long as you can put up with whatever the weather is doing at the time.

If you’re like me, you’re a Maine gardener who gets a little bored in winter. Sure, you may tend to some houseplants, but ordinary houseplants don’t change much from winter to winter, so where’s the fun? If you’re seeking a challenge to keep you entertained until spring, try  growing air plants. There are more than 550 species, and all are native to Central and South America. In the tropics, air plants attach themselves to other plants.

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