Gardening Tips and Advise
Girls Go Green – Adopt a Park Day – March 31, 2007
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As long as the ground isn't frozen, there are a number of plants and
flowers suitable for cold weather planting.
Examples of Annuals: Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Snapdragons,
Dust Miller, Larkspur, Asters, Calendulas, Dianthus.
Examples of Perennials: These include Shirley Poppies, Winter Pansy,
Ivy, Rudbeckia, Primrose, Chrysanthemums and Forget-Me-Not.
Here are seven fabulous perennials that will certainly withstand some cold
snaps.
American Holly (Ilex opaca). This holly is the quintessential winter plant.
Its evergreen foliage and red berries transform fresh-fallen snow into an
idyllic winter scene. You'll need two plants -- a male and a female spaced
within 100 feet of each other -- for pollination and berry production.
Crab Apple (Malus spp.). Depending on variety, crab apple trees bear
red, purple, or yellow fruit; some varieties, such as 'Adirondack',
'Christmas Holly', 'Harvest Gold', 'Red Jade', and 'Sugar Tyme', keep their
fruit well into the winter. Prune annually in late winter for the best shape.
Dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca 'Albertiana Conica'). Normal
spruce trees often overwhelm a yard, but dwarf varieties, which typically
top out at eight feet, fit into the picture very nicely. 'Conica' is a common
variety with light- green needles.
Henry Lauder's Walking Stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta'). This
unusual shrub features branches that resemble corkscrews, making it a
standout in the winter landscape. It is also prized year-round for the
interest it adds to floral arrangements.
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus alba). Some varieties of this hardy, fast-
growing plant get redder as the weather turns colder. The brightest colors
come out on young shoots, so cut older growth to the ground every
spring. Also consider C. sanguinea (bloodtwig dogwood), which sports
purple stems, and C. sericea, a yellow-twigged variety.
Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata). This fast-growing species, native to
Japan, Korea, and Manchuria, has lovely arching branches and keeps its
dark-green color year-round. It is a wonderful backdrop for the stems and
berries of other plants. Look for various shapes and sizes: f. nana is a
slow spreading dwarf yew; 'Capitata' forms a slow-growing pyramid; and
'Columnaris', with its bright-red berries, is a good choice for a hedge.
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). Also known as Michigan holly, this plant
loses its leaves in winter, but the bright-red berries hang on for a colorful
display. It can grow ten feet tall and just as wide, and has the same
pollination requirements as American holly.
Ornamental Grasses Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus
sinensis). This large, clumping ornamental grass comes in a wide range
of colors, variegations, and heights. Its showy plumes make a stunning
accent after a snowfall.
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Turning a cinnamon
brown tinged with purple in the late summer, this grass stays that way
through the winter. The cultivar 'Blaze' is bright purple; 'Aldous' is an
intense blue. The strong stalks can survive snow.
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca). Cut this grass down in late summer for
a crop of fine-textured silver-blue leaves in the winter, and cut it again
after the last snow has melted to provide a good early show for the spring
garden. 'Elijah Blue' has powder-blue foliage that does especially well in
the cold.
Bedding and Ground Covers
Ornamental Kale (Brassica oleracea). This plant keeps its color when
the garden freezes. In fact, a light to moderate frost intensifies its showy
pink, purple, or red leaves.
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens). Less than a foot tall, this evergreen
perennial grows in spreading mats, making it a good choice for flower
beds and the fronts of borders. It bears white flowers in the spring.
Pinks (Dianthus). The blue-green foliage of this evergreen perennial
stays fresh-looking throughout the winter.
Blue rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'). This low-growing
evergreen has prickly blue needles that turn purple in the winter cold. It
can spread out six to eight feet.
There are many small plants that can be enjoyed in winter. Think of
Arums, Hellebores ((H. niger, H. foetidus and H. orientalis), heather,
heaths, Skimmia japonica and wintercreepers such as Euonymus
fortunei ('Silver Gem', 'Emerald Gaiety', 'Emerald 'n gold'.) For late fall
or early spring blooms crocuses and Sternbergia lutea, and many other
"minor bulbs" can add a touch of surprise to your cold encounters with
your path. Yucca filamentosa 'Bright Sides' is an unusual sunny touch of
lime green to the winter scene.
When looking for shrubs Nandinas, Camellia japonica and Pyracantha
'Mohave' are good choices you might easily find, but look further for
daphnes, Cornus alba or C. sericea (red twigged dogwoods) for their
colorful stems.
Whether you call them large shrubs or small trees the winterhazels,
Corylopsis, can't be beaten for a March bloom. Their early spring bloom
produces a large numbers of fragrant flowers on bare wood. I unknowingly
purchased one from the Arboretum plant sale, a reject without a label. It
looked like a dead twig but in its first spring its bloom was exquisite.
Cascades of buttery cupped shape fragrant blossoms cascade down 4-6
inches. I am not sure if it is a C. glabrescens (8-15') or C. pauciflora (4-
6'). It is now 5' and only time or a DNA test will tell. Winterhazels tolerate
some shade, like moist well drained soil and a bit of protection to help
keep the flowers happy on a windy cold spring day. Dirr lists five species.
For a better view of the blooms place the plant in front of an evergreen or
dark background.
Salix melanostachys, black pussy willow, (6-10') has purple-black stems
in winter and in early spring has unusual deep black velvety catkins with
red anthers and later yellow tips. It is wonderful for flower arranging but
also makes a stunning background for the pure yellow of a Corylopsis.
Other trees to choose from include the hollies, Ilex. Try to include a
'Sunny Foster' in your view. Even on the darkest day it will shine.
The witch hazels, Hamamelis spp., are the stars of winter garden.
Unfortunately they are seldom used. I think people just forget them in the
barrage of blooms in summer.
H. virginiana, our native, will lead the parade in October with fragrant
yellow flowers interspersed with yellow leaves. H. vernalis , also a native,
and is the hardiest, but in our zone 7 most all of these lovely trees thrive.
Other witch hazels produce leaves of golds, oranges, and deep reds. You
may choose from many species and be rewarded with blooms (and often
fragrance) from fall to mid spring. The size of the bloom can vary also up
to about 2 inches. T
'Primavera' (canary yellow), and 'Sunburst'(yellow flowers) are also
recommended.
flowers suitable for cold weather planting.
Examples of Annuals: Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Snapdragons,
Dust Miller, Larkspur, Asters, Calendulas, Dianthus.
Examples of Perennials: These include Shirley Poppies, Winter Pansy,
Ivy, Rudbeckia, Primrose, Chrysanthemums and Forget-Me-Not.
Here are seven fabulous perennials that will certainly withstand some cold
snaps.
- Heuchera sanguinea (Coral bells)
- Eupatorium purpureum (Joe Pye weed)
- Euphorbia (Spurge)
- Artemisia 'Powis Castle'
- Salvia nemorosa
- Molinia
- Chasmanthium
- Trees and Shrubs
American Holly (Ilex opaca). This holly is the quintessential winter plant.
Its evergreen foliage and red berries transform fresh-fallen snow into an
idyllic winter scene. You'll need two plants -- a male and a female spaced
within 100 feet of each other -- for pollination and berry production.
Crab Apple (Malus spp.). Depending on variety, crab apple trees bear
red, purple, or yellow fruit; some varieties, such as 'Adirondack',
'Christmas Holly', 'Harvest Gold', 'Red Jade', and 'Sugar Tyme', keep their
fruit well into the winter. Prune annually in late winter for the best shape.
Dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca 'Albertiana Conica'). Normal
spruce trees often overwhelm a yard, but dwarf varieties, which typically
top out at eight feet, fit into the picture very nicely. 'Conica' is a common
variety with light- green needles.
Henry Lauder's Walking Stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta'). This
unusual shrub features branches that resemble corkscrews, making it a
standout in the winter landscape. It is also prized year-round for the
interest it adds to floral arrangements.
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus alba). Some varieties of this hardy, fast-
growing plant get redder as the weather turns colder. The brightest colors
come out on young shoots, so cut older growth to the ground every
spring. Also consider C. sanguinea (bloodtwig dogwood), which sports
purple stems, and C. sericea, a yellow-twigged variety.
Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata). This fast-growing species, native to
Japan, Korea, and Manchuria, has lovely arching branches and keeps its
dark-green color year-round. It is a wonderful backdrop for the stems and
berries of other plants. Look for various shapes and sizes: f. nana is a
slow spreading dwarf yew; 'Capitata' forms a slow-growing pyramid; and
'Columnaris', with its bright-red berries, is a good choice for a hedge.
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). Also known as Michigan holly, this plant
loses its leaves in winter, but the bright-red berries hang on for a colorful
display. It can grow ten feet tall and just as wide, and has the same
pollination requirements as American holly.
Ornamental Grasses Japanese Silver Grass (Miscanthus
sinensis). This large, clumping ornamental grass comes in a wide range
of colors, variegations, and heights. Its showy plumes make a stunning
accent after a snowfall.
Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Turning a cinnamon
brown tinged with purple in the late summer, this grass stays that way
through the winter. The cultivar 'Blaze' is bright purple; 'Aldous' is an
intense blue. The strong stalks can survive snow.
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca). Cut this grass down in late summer for
a crop of fine-textured silver-blue leaves in the winter, and cut it again
after the last snow has melted to provide a good early show for the spring
garden. 'Elijah Blue' has powder-blue foliage that does especially well in
the cold.
Bedding and Ground Covers
Ornamental Kale (Brassica oleracea). This plant keeps its color when
the garden freezes. In fact, a light to moderate frost intensifies its showy
pink, purple, or red leaves.
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens). Less than a foot tall, this evergreen
perennial grows in spreading mats, making it a good choice for flower
beds and the fronts of borders. It bears white flowers in the spring.
Pinks (Dianthus). The blue-green foliage of this evergreen perennial
stays fresh-looking throughout the winter.
Blue rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'). This low-growing
evergreen has prickly blue needles that turn purple in the winter cold. It
can spread out six to eight feet.
There are many small plants that can be enjoyed in winter. Think of
Arums, Hellebores ((H. niger, H. foetidus and H. orientalis), heather,
heaths, Skimmia japonica and wintercreepers such as Euonymus
fortunei ('Silver Gem', 'Emerald Gaiety', 'Emerald 'n gold'.) For late fall
or early spring blooms crocuses and Sternbergia lutea, and many other
"minor bulbs" can add a touch of surprise to your cold encounters with
your path. Yucca filamentosa 'Bright Sides' is an unusual sunny touch of
lime green to the winter scene.
When looking for shrubs Nandinas, Camellia japonica and Pyracantha
'Mohave' are good choices you might easily find, but look further for
daphnes, Cornus alba or C. sericea (red twigged dogwoods) for their
colorful stems.
Whether you call them large shrubs or small trees the winterhazels,
Corylopsis, can't be beaten for a March bloom. Their early spring bloom
produces a large numbers of fragrant flowers on bare wood. I unknowingly
purchased one from the Arboretum plant sale, a reject without a label. It
looked like a dead twig but in its first spring its bloom was exquisite.
Cascades of buttery cupped shape fragrant blossoms cascade down 4-6
inches. I am not sure if it is a C. glabrescens (8-15') or C. pauciflora (4-
6'). It is now 5' and only time or a DNA test will tell. Winterhazels tolerate
some shade, like moist well drained soil and a bit of protection to help
keep the flowers happy on a windy cold spring day. Dirr lists five species.
For a better view of the blooms place the plant in front of an evergreen or
dark background.
Salix melanostachys, black pussy willow, (6-10') has purple-black stems
in winter and in early spring has unusual deep black velvety catkins with
red anthers and later yellow tips. It is wonderful for flower arranging but
also makes a stunning background for the pure yellow of a Corylopsis.
Other trees to choose from include the hollies, Ilex. Try to include a
'Sunny Foster' in your view. Even on the darkest day it will shine.
The witch hazels, Hamamelis spp., are the stars of winter garden.
Unfortunately they are seldom used. I think people just forget them in the
barrage of blooms in summer.
H. virginiana, our native, will lead the parade in October with fragrant
yellow flowers interspersed with yellow leaves. H. vernalis , also a native,
and is the hardiest, but in our zone 7 most all of these lovely trees thrive.
Other witch hazels produce leaves of golds, oranges, and deep reds. You
may choose from many species and be rewarded with blooms (and often
fragrance) from fall to mid spring. The size of the bloom can vary also up
to about 2 inches. T
'Primavera' (canary yellow), and 'Sunburst'(yellow flowers) are also
recommended.
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| Frost Resistance of Annuals |
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