Winter Interest from the Ground Up

These cool-season gems will ensure your garden looks good at every level when the snow flies

As the lastautumn leavesreluctantly omit and as desolate germ head stand marvelous in the field , we can no longer deny thatwinteris upon us . Our lushsummer gardensare a ostensibly remote memory now that many horticultural treasures stomach austere , twiggy , or dark-brown and quick to be cut back . What many see as a dark and inhospitable time of year of dull quiescency , however , I reckon as a chilly protraction of my horticulture season .

teach more : Trees and Shrubs with Winter Interest

There are many reliable plants that will bear , even looktheir full , during the frosty days of winter . While wintertime gardens may operate unawares of bloom , especially in cold climates , there is a wonderful selection of evergreen plant foliage , interesting barque , and richly colored twigs that can make anyone ’s winter brighter .

I approach wintertime gardening the same elbow room I look at gardening in other seasons — by planting interesting - look plants from the ground up . I want to have captivating bulbs and perennial bursting through the territory , dynamical shrubs with beautiful branching or evergreen foliation , and bold trees withincredible bark and center - catching form prepare a fabric for the garden . hurl in a few flowers and some Chuck Berry , and I am set up for the season and well on my way to creating an engagingoutdoor space .

Captivating ground covers worth their weight in gold

Hardy cyclamen delivers charming winter blossoms

Name : Cyclamen coum

Zones:5–9

Size:2 to 6 inches magniloquent and 6 to 8 column inch wide of the mark

condition : Full to partial shade ; rich , well - enfeeble soil

aboriginal range : Mediterranean to Caucasus region

Covering ground from November through March can seem likea tall order of magnitude when we are customary to the botanic copiousness and particular provide by other season . Fortunately , over the last several year more plants have become available to help fill this niche , include options from one of my preferent radical : cyclamens(Cyclamenspp . and cvs . , zone 5–9).Depending on where you populate , several mintage may be able to thrive in your climate , but one of the most sorcerous and stout is the winter - bloominghardy cyclamen(C. coum ) .

This long - lived corm ( a change bulblike stem ) course grows within and along the edge of shadowy timber . It ’s an endearing plant with bright colored blooms in shades of magenta , pinkish , and white from December to late February . Although the flowers are beautiful , the material asset is the decorative foliage . The rounded dark - immature leaves are embellished with variation of silver medal mottling , ply a long - hold up show before expire dormant in late spring . Once hardy Cyclamen purpurascens has settled in , seedling can appear around the garden — thanks to ants carrying the come . Over time your planting can only better .

‘Black Sea’ epimedium leaves turn a striking inky purple during the colder months

Name : Epimedium‘Black Sea ’

Size:15 to 18 inch improbable and 3 feet broad

aboriginal range : crossbreed

Another asset to the scurvy level is evergreen plant ground cover , which provide a welcome relief from winter dormancy . On my must - have leaning is epimedium ( Epimediumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) . There are several tough selection that harbor up well to modest temperature , but one of the best is‘Black Sea ’ genus Epimedium . This robust hybrid has big brochure that are ample green during the growing season and then plow a striking inky imperial - black in parky weather — with the cryptical wintertime coloring attain in undetermined hopeful specter .

The leaflets are hold tightly on red stems in easy spreading clumps . It can take up to five eld for a plant to achieve its maximal size . In late winter to early spring , 24- to 30 - inch - marvelous flower staunch bring about airy panicle of little butterscotch - colored blooms that look great against the sullen - colour leaves . This stout recurrent contrasts well with the tawny blonde of decorative grasses and the vivacious William Green of evergreen ferns .

HGC®Ice N’ Roses®Red hellebore packs a punch with prolific late-winter blooms

Name : Helleborus×glandorfensis‘Coseh 4100 ’

Size:18 inch marvelous and 24 in encompassing

Conditions : Partial to full shade ; moist , well - run out ground

No wintertime garden clause is complete without a acknowledgment of hellebores(Helleborusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9).These plant divas fare into their glory in tardy winter , jump - starting our excitement for the coming of bound . Through the results of complex breeding , every year yield new pick that can be found at local nurseries . I seek to plant as many newbies as potential to assess their value . One that I am peculiarly pleased with isHGC ® Ice N ’ Roses ® Red hellebore . Relatively new to nurseries , this is a solid winner with vigorous growth , coloured evergreen foliation , and fertile bloom of youth . For great impact , plant this hellebore where the early morning or low evening sun can stream through the maroon crimson flowers .

Fragrant Valley™ dwarf sweet box offers evergreen foliage and a divine scent

Name : Sarcococca hookerianavar.humilis‘Sarsid1 ’

Zones:6–8

Size:12 to 15 inches tall and 4 to 6 infantry wide

Conditions : Full to partial tincture ; moist to dry out dirt

aboriginal range of mountains : China

For a great shrubby priming coat cover , look toFragrant Valley ™ midget sweet boxwood . Its midget white flowers are hidden among the narrow , glistening evergreen plant leaves , but their intensely sweet vanilla - like fragrance can not be missed . The providential perfume can go as early as Christmas and proceed as of late as the conclusion of February , reckon on your climate andlocal weather . A slow grower , sweet box seat can take up to 10 yearsto reach its full spread . This undercoat cover demands shade to look its best , but it is quite tolerant of soil type , admit teetotal location .

winter garden interest

Photo: courtesy of Richie Steffen

Shrubs that shine in winter and beyond

Ivory Halo®Tatarian dogwood pops with vibrant winter stems

exposure : Matt Anker

Name : Cornus alba’Bailhalo ’

Zones:3–7

Photo: courtesy of Richie Steffen

Size:4 to 6 feet tall and all-encompassing

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; plenteous , well - drained soil

aboriginal chain of mountains : Asia

Epimedium ‘Black Sea’

Photo: courtesy of Richie Steffen

Shrubs add valuable structure to the garden , so it is important to impart selections that have something to offer in as many seasons as potential . It ’s light to go to evergreen shrub to make full the wintertime nullity , but there are some deciduous shrubs that have much to offer . A longtime dearie is Tatarian dogwoods(Cornus albacvs . , Zones 2–8 ) . A great compact variety that has shanghai me recently isIvory Halo ® Tatarian dogwood tree .

Densely ramify , Ivory Halo ® has a rounded to slightly mounded form that strain full size in about 10 years . During the growing season , this bush glows with brilliantly vary foliage in wan green and cream . In winter , its bare stems change state a vibrant red that is specially striking after a snowfall . It can be rationalize back to 6 to 8 inches tall every other year to keep it smaller when needed . I know edit the bright reddened stems in winter to apply as a explosion of colour in my out-of-door containers .

‘Red Dragon’ contorted filbert adds an intriguing twist to the garden

Name : Corylus avellana‘Red Dragon ’

Zones:3–9

Size:6 human foot tall and wide

Photo: courtesy of Skagit Horticulture

Conditions : Full sun to fond shade ; prolific , well - drained dirt

Native range : Europe , westerly Asia , and northern Africa

The perverted branches of contorted filbert ( Corylus avellanacvs . , Zones 3–9 ) have long been a desired bush , but eastern filbert blight has indeed “ blight ” this option . However , thanks to Oregon State University ’s blight - tolerant founding of‘Red Dragon ’ wring filbert , we are now saved from a bland winter .

Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis ‘Sarsid1’

Photo: courtesy of Richie Steffen

This newer form is speedily put on popularity not only because of its warp and coiled branching but also because of its ruddy - regal new ontogenesis and endearing pink ament that beautify the garden in March . Another plus is that this cultivar is often grown through micropropagation , not by grafting , which means the suckers from the base of the bush are also curl up and contorted — a vast improvement from the old cultivar that needed their suckers removed annually .

Trees that contribute more than just a framework

Tree are a must - have in the winter landscape painting , but without a doubt their large size and dominating presence make them an indispensable showpiece all year long . Two arresting selection that I would not be without are witch hazels ( Hamamelisspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) and stewartias ( Stewartiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) .

‘Wisley Supreme’ witch hazel is a standout with sunshine-yellow flowers

Name : Hamamelis mollis‘Wisley Supreme ’

Zones:5–8

Size:10 to 15 feet tall and wide

Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis ‘Sarsid1’

Photo: courtesy of Richie Steffen

Conditions : Full sunshine to partial spook ; moist , well - drained soil

If you’re able to only have one beldame hazel , hold out for‘Wisley Supreme ’ witch hazel . This selection always top my tilt for fragrance and sunshine - chicken flower colour with a soupcon of red at the petal root . The blossom open from January to February , with frequent bloom curling and uncurling depend on the temperature . A smaller Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , this wintertime dazzler takes about 10 age to reach its full - sizing , vaselike frame . The autumn colour is a clear-cut yellow with occasional touch sensation of coppery orangish . This selection is also less prone to hanging on to its dry brown foliage , an issue with many witch hazel .

Orange bark stewartia provides interest in every season

Name : Stewartia monadelpha

Size:15 to 18 foot tall and 10 to 12 wide

Native reach : Southern Japan and Korea

Ivory Halo® Tatarian dogwood pops with vibrant winter stems

Photo: Matt Anker

Stewartia is an amazing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with yr - round interest from beautiful bloodless summer flowers to spectacular Orange River and ruby-red dip color , but the incredible bark on mature specimen is unparalleled . My favorite stewartia for barque color isorange bark stewartia . The light mottled barque is a burnt orange with amber and ginger shade often with darn of hazel brown . untested tree do not show this trait , so patience is call for , but the wait is deserving the years of reward from this slow - growing tree . Orange barque stewartia is unfeignedly a garden treasure that only increases in value and beauty with time .

These few selections are a bully way to get started with winter gardening . When place my coloured inhuman weather additions , I attempt to locate them in a office where I will see them from a windowpane or as I take the air in and out of the house . This ensures that I will be able to enjoy these gem no matter how miserable it may be outdoors . Plus , they ’re an uplifting reminder that spring is just around the corner .

Winter interest planning from November through March

Richie Steffen is executive director of the Elisabeth C. Miller Garden in Seattle and a lead expert on plant .

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Ivory Halo® Tatarian dogwood pops with vibrant winter stems

Photo: Matt Anker

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Corylus avellana ‘Red Dragon’

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