Foliage Color and Bark Interest

The most dramatic change in the garden comes when trees begin losing their leaves. Once flowering bulbs and other plants have faded, the garden takes on another dimension with stunning foliage displays in shades 0f yellow, orange, red and purple.

The various shades produced by evergreens also enhance the scene. While trees and shrubs are common elements in fall gardens due to their brilliant foliage or late blooms, they can also offer additional interest during winter. In fact, the yellow blossoms of witch hazel are not only intriguing during fall but extremely fragrant, and its aroma is even stronger during winter.

Trees and shrubs provide more than just color or fragrance; they can also create various forms and texture to the winter garden design. When choosing trees and shrubs, you should pay attention to the interesting characteristics offered from their exfoliating bark. Bark that peels or is patterned with intriguing twig color can be quite captivating during even the most gloomy winter days. River birch and paperback maples provide interest with their peeling bark, while the colored bark of red-twig dogwoods and mahogany-colored crabapples fill the winter garden with an additional splash of color.

Various perennials bloom during autumn and provide additional interest throughout winter. These are some of the best evergreen plants to include in your winter garden design for contrast and color:

• Liriope
• Rhododendron
• Periwinkle
• Juniper
• Boxwood
• Yucca
• Azaleas
• Mountain laurel

Berries and Seed Heads

Although the majority of flowers may be scarce during winter, their berries are often abundant. Hollies are rich with berries and provide additional interest from their spiky leaves. Many viburnums keep their berries throughout early winter. Berries supply color and interest with shades of red, purple, and yellow. There are also many ground covers available that produce berries and have colorful leaves.

Another aspect of shrubs and flowers for a garden in winter comes from interesting seed heads. For instance, hydrangeas often hold the remnants of flower heads as do the browned snippets of sedums, rudbeckias and coneflowers.

The same is true for many flowering ornamental grasses, which provide additional structure. Although ornamental grasses generally reach their peak during fall, they can also add texture, volume and color when growing a winter garden.

Additional Winter Accents

While winter garden plants can offer unique beauty for a garden in winter, adding garden accessories such as benches, fountains, urns and statues will enliven and draw attention to it as well. Weather-resistant accents make strong statements in winter; however, these garden features should be used sparingly to avoid a cluttered appearance.

Additionally, the placement of outside lights in the landscape can offer further enjoyment while highlighting these focal points.

So now that you know what can be grown in your garden over winter, you can get started with growing a winter garden that fits your needs. A garden in winter filled with interesting elements not only adds natural charm but will offer uplifting beauty to nearly any winter garden design.