Winter Landscape Ideas…
Winter can be colorful too!
If you are like me, it’s hard to get ambitious about garden tasks this time of year. Also, if you are like me, there are always one or two places in the garden where things could look better, and there’s always room to squeeze another plant or two.
In this part of the country, we are fortunate to get lots of spring and fall color, whether we like it or not. Even the most neglected Rhody or Azalea bed will struggle to give us color when the weather warms.
Here’s a way to hunt down the perfect plant that’s just the right winter accent. This also works in the dog days of summer.
Try this – visit your favorite local garden center and scan across the plant displays plant until a color or plant texture calls out to you. If you find something you are unfamiliar with, ask the nursery staff and they’ll be glad to help, and might have other suggestions. Take a few pictures and maybe your favorite garden reference book (can’t beat the Sunset Western Garden Book) just in case. If the plant will fit your needs, jump right in and plant it!
If you think your place could use some professional design work, now would be a good time to talk to us. Although it never slows down much around here, our schedule is a bit more relaxed and we’d enjoy working with you on this. Sort of like the farmers of days gone by looking at seed catalogs in winter.
Looking Ahead
Don’t miss these:
- Tacoma Home & Garden Show
January 27 through January 31
Tacoma Dome, Tacoma - Northwest Flower & Garden Show
February 2 through February 7
WA State Convention Center, Seattle WA
Road trip anyone?
- Try this, maybe as a double-dip with the Tulip Festival
Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens
Greenbank, Whidbey Island, WA
Fifty plus acres and five miles of trails. A splendid place indeed.
Great article John. I especially appreciate the reminder that the Sunset Garden Book is a good resource to consider when making plant purchases.
By: SCOTT on January 27, 2010
at 2:23 am
Hi Scott. Glad you liked.
By: olympiclandscape on February 1, 2010
at 3:57 pm
What is that firey red plant on the”ask John” page? Love it!
Normajean
By: Normajean Hedman on January 27, 2010
at 5:40 am
Hey John,
Nice article and suggestions. Anything to help with color in winter would be great. Any favorites? I’m looking for at least one or two shrubs with good color but also some low ground cover that has some interesting winter color.
Anything will help, thanks.
By: Neil on January 27, 2010
at 1:18 am
Normajean, I believe it is a dwarf burning bush caught in an early snowfall; this plant has dramatic color in early winter. Checking out this plant or other fall/winter shrubs at your local nursery is a great way to find the color you want.
By: olympiclandscape on February 1, 2010
at 4:01 pm
I recently gave a little talk at the Tacoma Home and Garden Show and have a nice list. A low shrub choice might be Leucothoe ‘Nana’ if in part shade to sun or Nandina ‘Harbor Dwarf’ for a sunnier spot. The very low (2 to 4″ ht) Sedum(Stonecrop) will have various colors and will add texture in your garden
By: olympiclandscape on February 1, 2010
at 4:04 pm