LAND HOE! Landscape Design and Renovation
Winter Interest

Although spring is considered the best time for planting, fall is actually a great time. The cooler temperatures and rains allow the plants to become established before the spring arrives, giving them somewhat of a head start. Fall is also a time to look around and see where some winter interest is missing. There are several plants that can bring color and interest to the winter landscape, and fall is the perfect time to plant them.

Unless you have a very large area, planting a large growing coniferous tree is not likely. But, there are several smaller evergreen trees that can be considered. Narrow or weeping varieties of Sequoia and Alaska Cedar are available for the small tall places. Lower trees such as Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar and Weeping Larch are other options for a lower interest. Remember though that when these trees mature they can reach a diameter of 30'+, so plant them in a place where they can spread.

There are also conifer shrubs. The most common of these are Junipers. Others include Birds Nest Spruce, Pyramidalis, Dwarf Mugo Pine, and Thread Cypress. There are a tremendous amount of varieties and cultivars to choose from.

If you think that conifers are not what you want, but you still want something evergreen, consider a broad leaf evergreen. They range in height from the Evergreen Magnolia Tree (30+ feet) to the dwarf Rhododendron impeditum (12-16"). Broadleaf evergreens are not limited by there texture either. They can be bold or fine. They can have a deep green color like that of the Rhododendron, or change in the fall like that of the Nandina or Leucothoe. Some even have speckled leaves like Acuba.

Other striking trees that are deciduous are Coral Bark Maple (the name says it all), or Japanese Stewartia that has a multiple colored trunk. Texture in tree bark can be found in either the Paper Bark Maple or Paper Bark Birch.

If a tree is too large, consider the Red Twig Dogwood or the Yellow Twig Dogwood. These shrubs can be planted together for a striking combination or grouped by color specific.

Don't forget the lower interest plants as well. Hellebor and Variegated Japanese Sedge will provide both color and texture. Early blooming bulbs such as Crocus and Dwarf Iris are the earliest of the bulbs and provide excellent color.

Finally, the ground covers such as Evergreen Strawberry, Salal, Wintergreen, and Ajuga that fill in the areas for the best impact.

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