The Winter Garden #5

By Ms Sherry

Here in East Central Alabama (in my hometown of Jacksonville) we had rather an unusual occurrence this past week –  or rather two unusual occurrences – it snowed (twice). Not huge snows that snarled the traffic but gentle polite snowfalls that were enough to excite kids and adults alike and deplete the stores of milk and bread. Mid week and then again on Saturday we had about an inch of fluffy snow. A dusting of snowflakes covering the garden is a magical sight. The leaves of the camellias and the magnolias looked as if someone had taken a pastry brush and decorated them with seven minute frosting (the fluffy cooked kind). As I looked out the window I realized the important role evergreen foliage plays in the winter garden. The following quote from garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence in her book GARDENS IN WINTER says it all: “In winter the glitter of green leaves is like sunlight on water. I suppose it is the low angle of the sun, and the quality of the light, that brings out the beauty of evergreens, ‘it seeming from them to be summer all winter.’ The glossier the leaves, the more cheerful the garden; the wider the leaves, the greener they seem.”

We know that texture adds so much to the landscape of the winter garden but then so does color—the color green. If we add an evergreen with variegated foliage, we get an even bigger splash. We tend to rely on the winter blooms in the garden for our color – the red, pink and white flowers of the japonicas, the yellow in the daffodils, the bright faces of the pansies and violas; thus we may overlook the great contribution that green foliage makes to the appearance of our landscape. Look out your window today and see what catches your eye.

Following are a few of my favorite evergreen plants for you to consider adding to your garden:

Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’ – this is to me the classic southern magnolia without the steroid effect; it grows to about 20 -25 feet (but slowly) – and about 10 -15 ft wide; it has a narrow form so it can fit into most home gardens with ease; leaves are glossy green on top and rusty brown on bottom and, like the magnolia that immediately comes to mind, it has white blossoms with that quintessential magnolia scent.

Cryptomeria japonica, the Japanese cryptomeria – this conifer grows fast and can become a big tree (100 feet tall and 30 feet wide at the base) but you can limb it up to make it fit; it handles full sun or light shade. Although it drops browned foliage and can be a bit messy, its wonderful needle-like leaves and the small cones it produces make its presence in the garden a must for color and texture.

Cephalotaxus, plum yew – both the upright and the prostrate, which sport long bright green needles, make a great addition to the winter garden for exceptional color, texture, and growth habits; these slow growing, and easy-to-grow evergreens will handle sun to shade, but mine thrives in part sun. For those who have problems with deer, this is one plant they don’t eat to the ground.

Cleyera japonica – medium grower can get about 15 feet tall but with tip pruning can fit in just about any space; the leaves are beautiful, glossy dark green; they have clusters of creamy white flowers in the summer, but include cleyera more for their outstanding contribution to the winter garden than the summer one.

Kalmia latifolia, the mountain laurel – this evergreen (slow growing to about 6 to 8 feet) requires the same growing conditions as the azalea – planted high, in rich acid well-drained soil in partial shade – also sports glossy, leathery leaves (with the bonus of beautiful blooms in the spring).

Pieris japonica, the Japanese andromeda (perhaps my favorite) – requiring also the same conditions as the azalea – planted high in filtered to partial shade with rich, well-drained acid soil; additionally, mine required regular watering during last summer’s drought. It has exquisite foliage with the added benefit of beautiful blossoms in late winter to early spring; the blossoms remind me of the crystals in an elegant chandelier.

Osmanthus spp., the tea olive – another evergreen with wonderful shiny green foliage that can get very large but can be kept in bounds by careful tip pruning; it is easy to grow, can handle full to part sun; makes a terrific screen or hedge; and has tiny very fragrant blooms.

Pittosporum tobira ‘Varietgata’ – another one with great foliage; this particular pittosporum has variegated (green/white) leaves; this is a fairly tough plant that would also make a good hedge or a screen.

Aspidstra elatior, the cast iron plant – commonly thought of as a really tough houseplant; its sword-like dark green leaves do well in the garden as a groundcover (or massed), but will require some tidying up in the spring to get rid of any tattered leaves.

Rohdea japonica, the Nippon lily – a terrific, easy, and often underused plant in the garden – makes a wonderful border and also could be massed as a groundcover – grows well in part to full shade – does not like direct sun – clumps multiply and then can be divided. It produces a spike of bright orange berries that make a nice contrast to the dark green sword-like leaves.

There are so many others – plants that we often think of to enhance a spring or summer garden—when they work just as hard in the winter landscape. Take a look around and count your blessings for all that green!