The trees are bare and there is snow on the ground. This doesn’t mean that your garden has to become a winter wasteland. Evergreens can be quite stunning in the winter months. However, do not limit your landscape to these for winter interest. A well-planned garden should provide year-round interest and aesthetic entertainment.
Although the number of colorful and floriferous plants able to withstand the harsh winters is minimal, vibrant colors can still be had in the form of berry plants. Nothing can compare to the vibrant color of berries during the winter. Berry palates range from bright red to yellow to pale blue and white, so there is something to please everyone. Additionally, many berries will also attract a variety of birds to your garden. Fortunately a plethora of hardy berry-bearing beauties exist to provide much needed punctuation to an otherwise drab winter landscape. Consider planting some of the following:
Although the number of colorful and floriferous plants able to withstand the harsh winters is minimal, vibrant colors can still be had in the form of berry plants. Nothing can compare to the vibrant color of berries during the winter. Berry palates range from bright red to yellow to pale blue and white, so there is something to please everyone. Additionally, many berries will also attract a variety of birds to your garden. Fortunately a plethora of hardy berry-bearing beauties exist to provide much needed punctuation to an otherwise drab winter landscape. Consider planting some of the following:
The American Cranberrybush (Viburnum trilobum) is hardy to Zone 3 and grows to a height of 10 to 12 ft. tall. Although it sports red berries, some cultivars produce yellow berries. This shrub sprouts clusters of white flowers in the spring.
For an interesting contrast, plant Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum) whose berries are bluish-black and form clusters of dark berries. They are very popular with birds and bear clusters of small white flowers in the spring.
For an interesting contrast, plant Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum) whose berries are bluish-black and form clusters of dark berries. They are very popular with birds and bear clusters of small white flowers in the spring.
The Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) is adorned with an interesting white berry. It grows 3 to 5 ft. tall and is hardy to Zone 3. This little guy grows well in shade as well as sun and tolerates almost every soil type. Plant this in concert with the contrasting reddish-purple berries of the Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) shrub. Like Snowberry, this shrub likes shade as well as sun and is very easy to grow. It is also know as Indian Currant.
Consider planting Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus) if you are looking for an attention grabbing ground cover. It is hardy to Zone 4 and matures at a low 1 to 3 ft. tall. This great ground cover explodes with red berries but displays tiny pink flowers in the spring. Other low-growing cotoneasters include Bearberry Cotoneaster (C. dammeri) and Rockspray Cotoneaster (C. horizontalis).
Beautiful Pale Blue-Gray berries adorn the Northern Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) shrub. It is hardy to Zone 3 and grows 4 to 10 ft. tall. Although it is partial to full sun this shrub is extremely hardy and easy to grow in most conditions. It is also salt tolerant.
This is not an exhaustive list but is merely meant to get your creative juices flowing. There are many more varieties of berry and winter fruit bearing plants. The important thing is to keep in mind that winter does not have to equate to a dreary garden devoid of excitement. With just a little bit of planning, your garden can be a vibrant and colorful winter wonderland.
This is not an exhaustive list but is merely meant to get your creative juices flowing. There are many more varieties of berry and winter fruit bearing plants. The important thing is to keep in mind that winter does not have to equate to a dreary garden devoid of excitement. With just a little bit of planning, your garden can be a vibrant and colorful winter wonderland.