POSTED BY PEGGY: They say the real measure of a great garden is how it good it looks in the winter. Standing on my back porch, I’m giving myself a C-. My burning bush was delightful two months ago, but the glorious red leaves have fallen off. I have no berries, no twisted and gnarled branches and only one ornamental grass. The ONE ornamental grass I added is looking good. Had I followed the basic design principles of “mass” and “repetition, I would have added lots more.
Now is a great time to evaluate your Winter garden and identify opportunity areas that need some interest and structure. I like to do a quick sketch, noting specific spots that need a plant. Walk around your garden and note what is working, what you would like to see more of. By making your notes now you will be prepared when planting time get here. Marking the spots now is important as these opportunity areas will disappear as the Spring foliage fills in.
Shrubs and Ornamental grasses provide the most structure in the garden this time of the year. My best looking shrubs are Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’, Spirea ‘Mellow Yellow’, Rhododendron, Boxwood and Itea/Virginia Sweetspire. I definitely have room for another small boxwood. I like to pop one in here and there throughout the shade perennial bed. They tend to disappear during the summer amongst the big hosta leaves and towering Oak Leaf Hydrangea. This time of the year they stand out quite nicely.
Itea leaves in December
Spirea 'Mellow Yellow'
Rhododendron with Bud
Boxwood in Winter
I have lots of grass opportunities. My one ornamental grass , Pennisetum ‘Karley Rose’, will be a beauty next year. I’m making a note to add more fountain grasses. There are several smaller varieties that would do an excellent job in filling a few bare spots in my garden. Pennisetum ‘Hameln’ is one of my favorites dwarf fountain grasses, growing 18-24 inches tall and wide. ‘Little Bunny’ is even smaller at 10-18 inches. Most Maiden Hair grasses are too big for my small garden, but Miscanthus ‘Little Bunny’ would fit nicely growing to only 2-2.5 feet.
Karley Rose in Winter
Karley Rose in Summer
There are a quite a few perennials that REALLY stand out in my garden this time of the year. Perennials that still look good include: Carex Grass, Ajuga, Heuchera, Sedum ‘Angelina’ and Perennial Geranium. These are all hard working, easy to grow perennials that give you four seasons of interest. Adding more plants that are already happy in my garden is a no brainer.
Now that I have my list, Ive checked it twice, a Sugar Creek Gift Certificate would sure be nice. (Sugar Creek Gift Certificates now 10% off through Dec 24th)
Carex Evergold in December
Ajuga in December
Heuchera Green Spice in Winter
Heuchera 'Caramel' in Winter
3 Comments
December 10, 2008 at 11:45 am
Peggy — that ‘Mellow Yellow’ is spectacular! Looks good in your container, too. Interesting you mentioned that perennial geraniums are evergreen — Karen C. told me the same thing at Roxanne’s party the other night. I’ll have to check out my garden today and see if it’s true.
I think that would make Geranium ‘Rozanne’ just about the world’s most perfect plant!!
December 10, 2008 at 7:24 pm
A-ha! A confirmation from my friend Peggy that Carex “evergold ” and heucheras look great all the time. Yes! You have got to get some of these, HECK, many of these in your gardens!!! They are so incredible….
April 23, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Very interesting! I enjoy the picture headed Boxwood, might use that one! Thank you!