When you are planning a garden, either from the very beginning or adding plants along the way, consider what it can add to the winter garden. We put so much effort and attention into the summer garden but I find that structure and color is so much more necessary during the winter months. When all the tropicals have died back and other perennials and shrubs are dormant, what is left? What will you be able to enjoy about your garden in the winter?
The first and easiest way to add to the appearance of the winter garden is with conifers and broadleaf evergreens. Arborvitaes and some of the Boxwoods will develop a bronze color on the outer foliage through the winter. Hollies (Ilex) stay a nice medium to dark green and some varieties offer berries. Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis) can have beautiful, graceful layers; especially as they mature. Pines (Pinus), whether you use a tree like the Eastern White Pine, a large shrub like the ‘Thunderhead’ Black Pine or one that is practically a groundcover – Mugo Pine. They all create a statement yet a certain amount of softness by the way the needles are held on the plant. Laurels and Yews (Prunus and Taxus or Cephalotaxus) add a dense, deep green back drop to help show off some of the other deciduous plants that we will discuss soon.
Oh my gosh, I haven’t even started on Camellias. Here in Middle TN these plants can be a little tender, but if you shop at a reputable garden center….for instance Moore & Moore…. they should have ones that are more cold hardy and be able to give you tips about where to plant them in order to have the best success. Usually a spot that is a little protected especially from North winds in the winter, or part of the foundation planting is best. Being part of the foundation helps because the brick or siding will retain some heat and keep the roots and plant a little warmer than just being out in a natural area. Azaleas are also an excellent choice and benefit from the same “rules” but don’t have to follow them. Mahonia, Illicium and Distylium all have new varieties that are very interesting and useful in the winter garden. Indigo Flair, Florida Sunshine and Vintage Jade are some of my favorites (respectively).
Ok, now for deciduous plants. As a refresher deciduous just means that a plant loses it leaves during the winter. The obvious shrubs are ones with berries, like Winterberry (Ilex verticilata) and Beautyberry (Callicarpa) and ones with brightly colored stems, like Red or Yellow Twig Dogwood (Cornus). Remember with the Winterberry that there are female and male varieties, and within that there are different bloom times so you have to make sure your female and male match up. For instance, Winter Red (female) is pollinated well by Southern Gentleman (male) but not very well by Jim Dandy (male) because they do not bloom at the same time. And there is no way Winter Red (female) is pollinated by Red Sprite (female) because of biology.
There are other good choices for deciduous winter interest, such as Virginia Sweetspire (Itea) and Viburnums. The Virginia Sweetspire does have burgundy stem color during the winter, it is just not as bright as other options. The Viburnums not only provide nice structure but they also may provide berries, depending on the variety. Don’t forget grasses! They really should not be cut back until early to mid March because pruning before then can cause rotting during the winter. Grasses provide structure, movement, and nest material for birds. There are also plenty of evergreen perennials, too many to list. Here are my top five: Evergreen Ferns - They hold up so well!, Yucca – I like the shape and some are variegated, Rhodea/Sacred Lily – Great in light to deep shade and provides good texture, Carex/Sedge – I know, “you already talked about grass” but it stays green or variegated through winter and is really tough, Euphorbia/Spurge – Easy, drought needing perennial for sun. Ok one more, Helleborus/Lenten Rose – Super tough for shade and blooms during the season of Lent, so pretty early, and the blooms can be cut flowers because they last a long time. This one gets an A++ in my book because it is also deer resistant.
Alright, this concludes your starter course on winter interest in the garden. I listed 25 different genus of plants without even really getting into species or varieties. If you took a pen to this page, how many could you circle as having in your yard? As the fall settles in, maybe it is time to think about making a few additions to enhance your garden enjoyment this winter.
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