In the winter months, a landscape can be a very drab and uninteresting
place. Careful plants selection and some thought given to their siting
is important.
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Surprisingly strong colors can appear in the winter landscape. Here
are some examples:
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- A rim of frost on the evergreen
leaves and red berries of a firethorn (Pyrachantha).
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- Harry Lauder's walking stick (Corylus
avellana 'Contorta') offers exotic shapes of stems and branches
and a gorgeous display of attractive catkins.
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- A striking contrast is created
with a planting of red or yellow-barked dogwood (Cornus spp.) in
front of a grouping of Blue Colorado spruces (Picea pungens). As
bark is brightest on young growth, pruning of the dogwoods will
ensure a supply of rich color.
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- Plants with sculptural form
include the spiky yucca filamentosa. 'Variegata' is especially
beautiful. It is well suited to grow in our Zone 5 and keeps its
variegated leaves throughout the winter.
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- Winter is the time for holly. The
bright red berries and excellent foliage of numerous cultivars
provide color in early winter.
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- Ornamental grasses are plants with
four-season interest. Their graceful leaves sway in the slightest
breeze. The most beautiful of all is Miscanthus sinensis 'Zebrinus'
with its arching leaves and cross banding. Micanthus sinensis 'Variegatus'
(variegated Japanese silver grass) is another showy specimen with
its white striped foliage.
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- Evergreens offer beauty all year
round. The varied tones of conifers and broad-leafed evergreens
are especially appreciated in the winter, when the landscape might
otherwise look bleak and uninviting.
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- Weeping Norway spruce (Picea
abvies pendula), weeping larch (Larix decidua 'Pendula'), grafted
Blue Spruces like the globe forms and grafted Junipers are often
used as specimen plants. A multitude of dwarf conifers are also
available to enjoy in the winter landscape.
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- Rock Cotoneaster's (Cotoneaster
horizontalis) fishbone branching pattern adds interest to the
landscape. The main ornamental feature is the persistent red
fruit.
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- Most of the Viburnums are known
for their colorful berries. They remain on the plants throughout
the winter until eaten by wildlife. Many cultivars are available.
They are selected for their fruiting habit, growth rate, growing
requirements and height.
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