Design Talk
Once the brilliant colors of fall have faded, winter in the garden can feel dull and drab. Many of us get spring fever as the first signs of life emerge. When the temperatures rise and that fresh crisp smell of spring wafts into your nose, your first instinct may be to head out into the garden and then drive to see us at Central Valley Garden Center. Here you will purchase all the blooming plants you can possibly squeeze into the trunk of your car. You will repeat this a few times throughout spring and summer. Inevitably, you will end up with a gorgeous garden full of spring, summer and likely fall interest. Enter winter and you look out into your garden from your house or drive up your driveway and think to yourself, where did all that color and life go?
Winter dormancy opens center stage to plants with eye catching forms, glossy berries, colorful foliage and bark as well as winter bloomers. These plants can be added into the garden at any time of year. Areas to consider adding winter interest are in portions of your garden that will be appreciated from inside your home or from outdoor areas you frequent. You don’t have to relandscape your entire garden, a small amount of careful consideration and planning will go a long way. A pop of color here and there is likely all you need. Many of these plant suggestions can be used in containers as well. Stop by for a visit and we will help you select a few key plants to add winter texture, color and form to your garden.
Plants with colorful or interesting bark:
Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’ – Coral Bark Japanese Maple
Acer griseum—Paperbark Maple
Cornus stolonifera ‘Baileyi’ —Red Twig Dogwood
Cornus stolonifera ‘Flaviramea’ —Yellow Twig Dogwood
Lagerstroemia indica—Crape Myrtle
Ulmus parvifolia —Chinese Elm
Cercidium ‘Desert Museum’—Palo Verde
Eucalyptus
Nandina varieties
Phormium varieties
Cordyline varieties
Aucuba japonica
Euonymous varieties
Coleonema pulchellum ‘Sunset Gold’
Elaeagnus pungens ‘Maculata’
Lomandra Platinum Beauty
Coprosma varieties
Dodonea viscosa purpurea
Heuchera varieties
Loropetalum varieties
Teucrium fruticans
Euphorbia varieties
Swiss chard Bright Lights
Persimmons
Arbutus unedo
Callicarpa—Beauty Berry
Pomegranates
Pyracantha
Heteromeles artbutifolia
Cotoneaster varieties
Ilex varieties
Citrus varieties
Skimmia japonica
Rugosa roses
Winter blooming shrubs and perennials:
Daphne odora
Camellia varieties
Azalea
Abutilon varieties
Edgeworthia
Aloe Blue Elf
Erigeron karvinskianus
Erysimum Bowles Mauve
Garrya elliftica—Silk Tassel
Grevillea rosmarinifolia
Grevillea langinera ‘Coastal Gem’
Tagetes lemmoniii—Copper Canyon Daisy
Pieris japonica varieties
Rhaphiolepis varieties
Sarcococca ruscifolia
Viburnum tinus ‘Spring Bouquet’
Hamamelis —Witch Hazel
Gelsemium sempervirens—Carolina Jessamine
Hardenbergia violacea
Jasminum polyanthum
Solanum jasminoides
Hellebore
Eye catching forms/textures:
Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’—Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick
Corokia cotoneaster
Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myers’
Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’
Quince
Agaves and other succulents/cacti
Leucadendron varieties
Ornamental grasses
Agonis flexuosa ‘After Dark’
Winter blooming annuals:
Pansies
Violas
Iceland poppies
Cyclamen
Primrose
Sweet Peas
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
Paludosum Daisies
Calendula
Stock
Snapdragons.
See you soon.
By ALI WHITE
Garden Center Manager
