Just because its winter (don't let the 60 degree weather fool you) does not mean your landscape has to be boring. There are lots of plants that add winter interest to an outdoor space from ornamental grasses to evergreen trees. Even the seed heads of some herbaceous perennial plants can look attractive in the winter. One group of plants which shines in during the winter due to the variety of feature and types of interest they can create during the season is shrubs.
Some shrubs have twigs which are an attractive color or provide and interest texture to a landscape. For example, red twig dogwood (also known as redosier dogwood- Cornus sericea) has showy twigs that bring color to a winter landscape.
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Red twig dogwood- each year remove around 1/3 of the theoldest stems to help plants retain their color |
Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') as well as several species of Willows (Salix sp.) have contorted habits which add texture to a landscape.
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| Contorted Shrub Willow |
Other shrubs retain their fruit into the winter which can add interest and color to a winter landscape as well as attracting birds. Many species of hawthorn (Cratagus sp.) retain their fruit into the winter along with shrubs like firethorn and some crabapples.
Due to their spreading suckering growth habits some sumacs (Rhus sp.) should be used with care in smaller landscapes. However, many species of sumac keep their interesting red fruits through winter.
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| Fruit of Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) |
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| Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany |
Most people are familiar with the more common evergreens like pines, spruces and junipers. However many are less familiar with broad leafed evergreens. These plants retain their leaves all winter and add both color and texture to a winter landscape. There are actually quite a few broadleaf evergreens which can be grown in our area including, curl leaf mountain mahogany, mountain mahogany, winter creeper euonymus, Manhattan euonymus, English ivy, Oregon grape holly, creeping grape holly, manzanita, joint fir, Spanish broom and firethorn. All of these plants will benefit from winter watering and many will do better in sites which are protected from drying winter winds.
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| Creeping Mahonia |