Plants
Hellebore (Helleborus spp.) Lovely hellebores, or lenten roses, are like delicate dancers in the winter garden, with pale green to pink blossoms that float above dark-green foliage. Don’t let their fragile appearance fool you. Hellebores are tough plants that can withstand cold temperatures and some neglect. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zone 4 to 9) Origin: H. orientalis is native to Central Europe Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Light to moderate shade Mature size: Up to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide Seasonal interest: Flowers from winter into spring Caution: All parts of this plant are poisonous.
11. Sweet Box (Sarcococca ruscifolia) You’ll generally smell the fragrance of sweet box in winter or early spring before you spot the small cream-colored flowers hanging from the undersides of the stems. The deep green, leathery leaves look attractive year-round and are often used by florists as long-lasting cut greenery. Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (zones 7 to 9) Origin: Native to China Water requirement: Moderate Light requirement: Partial to full shade Mature size: Grows slowly to 3 to 5 feet tall and wide Seasonal interest: Evergreen foliage and fragrant winter to spring blossoms
Snow berry 6. Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) Whereas winterberry has bright, colorful berries, those of snowberry are pale as pearls but are no less beautiful in the winter landscape. Plants have a loose, shrub-like form with arching lateral branches. It works best as part of mixed hedges or in less-formal areas of the garden, where branches covered with berries can be admired against winter evergreens. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zone 4 to 10) Origin: Native to western and eastern North America, including Canada Water requirement: Moderate; low once established Light requirement: Light shade to sun Mature size: 3 to 6 feet tall and wide Seasonal interest: Pink flowers in summer, white berries in winter
Winterberry 5. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) Perhaps best known for its berry-laden branches sold by the bunch around the holidays, winterberry deserves a spot in the garden as well as the florist shop. It’s a type of deciduous holly with a loose, shrubby form well-suited to the back of a larger garden bed. Berries cling to branches during winter dormancy, adding bright color to snowy gardens. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (zone 3 to 9) Origin: Native to the eastern United States Water requirement: Moderate to regular; tolerates damp soil Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 6 to 10 feet tall and wide Seasonal interest: Winter berries Caution: Berries are toxic if ingested.
Annabelle wild hydrangeas (Hydrangea at bores end “Annabelle” & Ivory Halo dogwood (Cronus alba “Bailhalo”)
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