Planting Winter Interest in the Garden

Many people find the sight of a barren winter garden just another reminder of what winter isn't- lush, green, and inviting. One way to make the winter garden more attractive is the addition of plants that present strong forms or colors despite the plummeting temperature. Thoughtful placement of these elements can make the winter garden starkly beautiful. If you have a small garden, incorporating plants that look good almost year-round is even more important-there's no room for single-season performers. 

You may not know it, but chances are you already have plants in your garden that can add winter interest. Ornamental grasses are popular with many gardeners. In the summer, grasses add softness and graceful lines. Why not let them do the same in winter? Instead of cutting them back during your fall cleanup, leave the dead stems and flower heads. In winter the dried stalks whisper in the wind, catch frost and snow to create new and interesting shapes, and come alive with small birds seeking shelter. The old growth can then be cut back in spring for a fresh start. Other common plants that have attractive spent stems in winter are coneflower, black-eyed Susan and Sedums like 'Autumn Joy'. Leave the seed heads uncut to give height and structure to the garden, and to provide food for small birds, particularly finches. 

Trees with interestingly colored, patterned, or textured bark make great focal points, especially against a fresh snowfall. In winter, the Coral Bark Japanese maple (Acer palmatum 'Sangukaku') has a beautiful coral-red stems. It also boasts pretty leaves in spring, making it a multi-season winner. Along with great summer bloom, crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) also develop beautiful bark patterns as they mature, with older, grayer bark peeling off to reveal rich shades of cinnamon. Among the most strikingly colored shrubs are red twig and yellow twig dogwood (Cornus sericea). This deciduous shrub has brilliant red or yellow twigs that can add a splash of color to an otherwise monochrome garden. To capitalize on the brilliant hue, the shrub needs to be cut back severely every year in late winter, thus making it ideal for smaller gardens. 

Trees and shrubs with winter berries are not only beautiful; they provide needed forage for birds and other animals in the lean days of winter. Hollies, both evergreen and deciduous, are used frequently for their attractive berry-set and versatile nature. Having a few hollies in your landscape also provides a source for cutting a few branches to decorate for the holidays. Nandina is another familiar landscape staple, and the brilliant scarlet color is welcome in the winter landscape. Some varieties produce attractive red berries when grown in the right conditions.

A well-planned garden will provide attractive, inspiring views throughout the year. Winter's arrival doesn't have to spell the end for your beautiful garden. Make notes, plant now or in spring, and you'll be looking at a winter wonderland when the days shorten.