Jazz up your Winter Landscape
It’s time I faced reality and accepted the fact that wi….wint….winte…winter (I said it!) is around the corner. Winters can be very long in Maine. To help combat the winter blues, I like creating attention-grabbing winter vignettes, both in the front landscape, as well as in the sightlines of commonly used rooms, like my home office.
Trees and shrubs with striking winter bark or captivating branching habits are some of my winter accessories. A few of my favorite doldrums busters are:
Red and yellow twig Dogwood. (Cornus sanguinea) There are many dazzling varieties in this family. ‘Artic Sun’ is a great choice. The stems change from yellow at their base to red at the growing tip. It’s hardy in Zones 4 – 8
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) This native, deciduous shrub boasts striking berries that shine in the winter landscape. Berries can range in color from gold, orange or red. My favorites are red berried selections like ‘Berry Nice’, ‘Berry Heavy’ and ‘Berry Poppins’. ‘Berry Poppins’ is the most compact, only growing between 3’ and 4’ tall. It is a wonderful choice for holiday-themed containers near front entranceways as well as the landscape. Remember, that regardless of the ‘berried lady’ that you fall in love with, all hollies (evergreen or deciduous) need the ‘matching’ male to produce berries.
Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick. Corylus avellana ‘Red Dragon’ is my pick over the more commonly sold variety that has dull green leaves. ‘Red Dragon’ still has the funky twisted stems that look magical covered with snow BUT its vibrant burgundy-red spring into summer foliage that turns yellow-gold in fall provides far more interest! ‘Red Dragon is hardy in Zones 4 – 8.
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum). This is a perfect specimen for smaller landscapes. It has a neat, oval habit with slender upright branching. Its green leaves turn a fine red color in fall. papery sheets of bark peel to reveal cinnamon-brown new bark.
More of my favorites are featured in Garden Design magazine’s autumn issue that highlights 32 native trees. This 38-page, picture-packed article also includes how to choose the right tree at nurseries as well as how to plant and care for them. There are so many must-know tips in this feature!
Get this amazing issue at no charge by simply subscribing to Garden Design magazine using a special link created for Perennially Yours patrons offering subscribers their first issue free. This quarterly, 148 page, ad-free ‘bookazine’ provides twice the content of other magazines. To receive this special offer, go online to www.gardendesign.com/kerryannmendez or call (855) 624-5110 Monday – Friday, 8 – 5 PST and mention my name.