Wintertime may be dull, long and cold to some people and they will long for spring when their landscaping starts to come to life again. However, winter landscapes do not have to be boring if you have a few of the right kind of plantings to give winter interest and you have an eye to appreciate something other than green foliage and bright flowers.
One thing that can give you that desired pop of color are berries. Some hollies will give you a great show of red berries. One that gives a massive display of them is the Possumhaw Holly. The branches will be loaded with an explosion of red and orange red clusters that come on in late fall and last through the winter, also feeding all different varieties of birds. American Beautyberry will get stunning magenta-colored berries after its leaves drops that will last into the colder months.
Ornamental grasses have become very popular due to their low maintenance and low water requirements. Instead of chopping them down as soon as they turn, leave them through the winter. The slightest breeze blowing through them adds a graceful movement to the winter garden when there isn’t much else going on. They make a great contrast next to any evergreens around them since many turn shades of bronze or tan. This will also help protect the crown of the grass from winter damage.
There are many barks that are more noticeable and even more beautiful in the wintertime. Coral Bark Maples have a gorgeous red bark that shows up after the beautiful foliage has all fallen. Lacebark Elms have an unusual, mottled bark that exfoliates in the wintertime and has a very unique texture. The bark may also change colors at this point and show shades of olive green, cinnamon, gray and brown.
Just taking a walk through your plants and trying to see things that are outside of the ‘normal’ look can give you a whole new perspective and appreciation for your winter landscape. You can also plant things that are specifically there to give you something that you want to admire in your yard through the coldest time of the year beyond our usual displays of impressive annual color.
Shelly Ryan is a degreed horticulturist who joined Smith Lawn and Tree as an Account Manager in early 2016, returning in mid-2021 after a two-year hiatus as an artist on the Gulf Coast. Her artistic eye for creativity, balance, and color enriches her landscape work, where she excels in seasonal color design and container arrangements. With extensive experience at golf courses and country clubs across the DFW area, Shelly has developed a strong attention to detail. She believes effective communication is essential to building lasting client relationships, which she has thoroughly enjoyed fostering over her years at Smith.
Shelly Ryan is a degreed horticulturist who joined Smith Lawn and Tree as an Account Manager in early 2016, returning in mid-2021 after a two-year hiatus as an artist on the Gulf Coast. Her artistic eye for creativity, balance, and color enriches her landscape work, where she excels in seasonal color design and container arrangements. With extensive experience at golf courses and country clubs across the DFW area, Shelly has developed a strong attention to detail. She believes effective communication is essential to building lasting client relationships, which she has thoroughly enjoyed fostering over her years at Smith.
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