Thursday, January 12, 2012

Color In The Winter Garden

Color and interest in the winter garden is a challenge.  I have been working on this for the past few years and realize that it is still a work in progress.

The Rhododendrons are a wonderful reddish brown color with pinkish buds.  They like being protected during the winter and summer, mine are behind a stone wall up close to the foundation of my home.

Azalea Karen keeps its reddish leaves all winter.  It is hardier than the rhodies and can do very well in an exposed border.

Boxwood Chicagoland adds consistent green to the winter border.

Miscanthus Little Kitten
It is small enough that it doesn't fall over.  I will see if it can be left up until the spring as recommended.

Panicum Northwind makes a nice backdrop for the Boxwoods and the Miscanthus.

I am not sure why the Euphorbia Blackbird stayed around or if it would still be here if it was much colder with snow?

Myrtle Blue Dart
I am really appreciating the groundcovers this year because I can see them and they add so much to the color of a winter garden.

Even Viburnum Carlesi Compactum is interesting with its buds already formed.

Heuchera Plum Pudding has never been great in my garden, but I certainly do appreciate its winter color.

Even a few garden art items help keep the interest over those dreary winter months.

Limelight Hydrangea is not like many other hydrangeas.  It holds its dried flowers all through the winter.

The Molina grasses are delicate, but as they mature become very interesting in the winter garden.

Penstemon Hamlin

Monte Casino Aster

Eupatorium Chocolate
I have never left this for the winter but it definitely stays interesting with the dried flower heads.

It is nice to have the holiday arrangements that will last until spring, bows put away, previously sprayed with Wilt Pruf so it will be March before I take these out.


Green Sheen Pachysandra remains green all winter and when there is not any snow it is lovely!


The front border with Heuchera Southern Comfort and the myrtle groundcover.

21 comments:

Larry said...

Hi Eileen... your garden looks very nice and those containers are really special. I also really like the amaryllis in your header! We are working on our first real snow with perhaps 6" coming ahead of the colder weather, for which (the snow) I am thankful. In the house, orchids are throwing blooms like crazy which is making January much more bearable! Larry

Lona said...

Hi Eileen. You have so much winter interest in your garden.I love your grasses and I really need to add more if I can just find some room here. That all may be covered in white before long and will look even prettier.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Larry,

We are getting the snow and ice. I know this will be good for the plants but I am not liking the driving in it.
Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Lona,

I am looking for some grasses to add to the back garden as it has very little interest in the winter.

Eileen

Beth said...

Hi Eileen, The garden is looking pretty, and I absolutely adore your containers. You have a real talent with container gardening!
Beth

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BernieH said...

I think you've got the winter colour and interest down! Your garden is looking terrific. Like the new header too.

scottweberpdx said...

Beautiful...your garden has so much to offer during winter...of course, the grasses are my fave ;-)

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Beth,

I do like doing containers but I am thinking I need to restrain myself for the summer because they are so difficult to maintain in the heat.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Bernie,

Now our winter color is white with the snow.

Eileenn

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Scott,

I also need to look into more grasses for my back border.

Eileen

Andrea said...

HI, are you still going to have snow? It looks like those plants are still at their prime when they suffered from cold!

Sandy said...

Your so right about, how the garden takes years to establish. A work in progress seems endless but oh so worth it.
Lovely yard
Sandy

Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said...

Hi Eileen, Given the lack of snow this winter, it is a great year to have an array of plants and shrubs to add a bit of winter interest. I also have boxwood and an assortment of evergreens throughout my garden and think that they are indispensable in winter. I do not have as many burgundy hints of color as you do however, and think that this is something I might want to incorporate in the future. Enjoy your Sunday!

garden girl said...

Looks great Eileen! I love the grasses, and Limelight looks wonderful. Bet it all looks pretty with the snow too, even though the ground covers may be invisible for now.

Karen said...

Eileen, how I love the grasses in your garden! They add so much interest. I left the flowers on my Limelight too, just have to remember to prune them this spring.

Your containers are gorgeous; I took the bows off of mine too and now they just look like winter containers. I couldn't get the faux poinsettias out of the ones by the garage since they were frozen in, but oh, well, they add color.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Sandy,

Yes, it is an never ending vision to see what a garden can become.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Jennifer,

I am finding that the boxwoods and the conifers are a necessity to keep the garden going.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi GG, the garden keeps going back and forth, snow then no snow.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Karen,

I do need to look up some more grasses for the back garden so that there is more interest during the winter.

Eileen

Scotkat said...

So enjoyed your winter garden Eileen ,looking forward to seeing it in Spring.