The end of fall does not have to herald the end of color in the garden. Berries and winter flowers add a splash of color and visual interest even in the coldest months. These five perennials will keep things lively when the weather turns dreary.
1. Leatherleaf mahonia (Mahonia bealei)
Blooms: February to March
Exposure: Part-shade
The thick, yellow flower spikes of leatherleaf mahonia are not only pretty but also fragrant. These evergreen shrubs can grow up to eight feet tall and six feet wide with leaves similar to a holly bush. Keep the plant in acidic soil and shielded from strong winds for the best blooms. Come summer, you will be delighted by grape-like fruit that birds love.
2. Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)
Blooms: December to March
Exposure: Part-shade
Christmas rose’s five-petal blooms range in color from pure white to dark burgundy and will fill your garden with color for several months. Many varieties have two-tone petals that fade from one hue into another. Its deep green foliage is evergreen and deer-resistant. Keep in mind that all parts of the Christmas rose are toxic and must be kept away from pets and children. Despite its name, the Christmas rose is not a rose at all. It’s a member of the buttercup family.
3. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Fruits: October to March
Exposure: Sun or partial sun
The glossy, red-orange fruits of the winterberry plant are a favorite of birds and small animals. Unlike other hollies, winterberry plants drop their leaves in fall, making the dense berry clusters stand out even more. Cut branches look glorious in winter flower arrangements, too. You will need both a male and female plant to get fruit, but the investment is well worth it.
4. Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
Blooms: January to March
Exposure: Sun or partial sun
Even the beginning gardener can grow winter jasmine. This showy shrub has long, willowy branches that boast an ocean of waxy, bright yellow winter flowers. Surprisingly easy to grow, a single winter jasmine plant will quickly grow up to four feet high and eight feel long. It looks stunning tumbling over a retaining wall or trained up a trellis.
5. Witchhazel (family Hamamelidaceae)
Blooms: January to March
Exposure: Full sun
Looking for some unique blooms? Witchhazel has pom pom flowers that burst in after the vivid fall color has left the plant. Flowers can be white, yellow, copper or pink, and the shrubs can grow to mammoth heights, often topping 15 feet high and just as long. Witch hazel likes to be kept moist and will need regular watering to thrive.
While you enjoy the winter show, take some time to plan and get ready for your spring garden. A little planning today means amazing color year-round!
