Saturday, March 5, 2011

Contrast and Texture Plants for Northwest Winters

A reoccurring theme in a garden consultations goes something like this; " I want a colorful low maintenance garden", followed by a list of plants
grandma raised that are attractive for 3 hours and die back to a aspiring tumbleweed.
At this point I move the conversation to "Garden Bones". For me, I want to look out the window in dismal and dank February seeing structure and color that remains the entire year. Things to consider such as, the plant's texture, growth pattern, maintenance needs (water soil sunlight), color, placement gets addressed and my opinion finds my tongue. So, here are a few pictures of plants shot in real-time winter, (in zone 8) that meet the criteria of hardy attractive and colorful for the whole calendar year.

Center piece plants
I will typically start with a large statement Plant, building off it's attributes with complementary contrasting sub plantings,( If the client wants subtle), I will pull one color from the center piece plant and repeat in mass plantings.

Cryptomeria J. "elegans Aurea" (japanese cedar)

"Alaskan Weeping Cedar" narrow, architectural and evergreen

Cryptomeria japonica Spiralis

Supporting players

Hebes = vivid Color

Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen's Gold

Hebe cupressoides

Choisya 'Aztec Pearl'

Hebe Sutherlandii

Christmas lights in march...

Blue Star Juniper

Fatsia

Spider web Fatsia

Yeah, Zonal denial, winter can be cruel to white variegation, But this is everyone's favorite plant that tours the garden!
SO I included it in the hardy list..