Winter Interest

For those of us who garden in an area where the average growing season length (the period of time between the first day of the year when the climate will first support plant growth to the last day) is roughly 175 days, the non-growing season can be a long dry spell.  Since there is nothing I can do about the climate where I live, I try to compensate by creating areas in the gardens that are interesting, even in the depths of winter.

You can do this by using permanent structures, such as pergolas or gazebos, or by using plants which will stand up to the Winter snow and winds.  Shrubs with colorful bark, such as red osier dogwoods (cornus sericea) with its brilliant red stems, or Ninebark (Physocarpus sp.), with its peeling, cinnamon colored bark, create color and interest in the Winter garden. 

Ornamental grasses are also great for Winter interest, as well as providing a source of food for those brave birds who stick around for the Winter.   There are many ornamental grasses hardy for our zone that will work hard all year long in our gardens.

One of my favorite ornamental grasses is Miscanthus purpurascens, also known as Flame Grass or Maiden Grass.  It is fully hardy in our zone 4 climate and has nice, sturdy stems that stand up well to the winds and snow load.  The beautiful white plumes of the seed heads glisten with hoar frost, or wave gently in the wind, or simply stand upright with a comforting fluff of softness against the Winter harshness.