Winters. That time of the year when everything seems so dreary. Even mundane tasks demand willpower. And the garden also becomes lifeless. You keep asking yourself, “How can I bring my beloved garden back to life?”
This guide tells you how.
There are a large number of native plants that would create a beautiful garden in winter.
They offer a lot of colors. They provide food and shelter to winter birds. And, most importantly, they bring life back to the garden.
You need these plants in your garden. They would make it easier for you to tide over those dark and dreary winter days.
Why Native Plants?
Native plants offer these benefits.
They are indigenous to the land.
They have survived for millennia.
They have evolved together with the native fauna and created a mutually interdependent complex ecosystem
They are more resistant to pests
They need lesser maintenance than their non-native counterparts
You have various options when it comes to growing native plants in winter in your garden. Keep an eye on their colors, shapes, contrasts, etc. to maintain a balance.
The right combination will beautify your winter garden like nothing else.
Read on to know more about some of these winter beauties.
Jolly Red Winterberry
Jolly Red Winterberries are holly trees of the deciduous family. They can grow to anything between 6 and 15 feet. In June, little flowers start blooming. By the time fall approaches, the leaves are burgundy in color.
In winter, bright red berries appear on the bare branches. This creates a striking visual amidst the dark surroundings and the white snow. Winterberries thrive well in both dry and wet conditions.
Do you hear chirping sounds coming from the winterberry tree? Don’t be surprised if you do. The Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, White-throated Sparrow, and several other bird species make this tree their home. A most welcome inclusion in your winter garden.
Coast Silktassel
The Coast Silktassel is a native of the West Coast, primarily in coastal Oregon and California. Bunches of flowers grow in clusters, also called catkins, in this plant. It attracts bees and other pollinators, too.
The Coast Silktassel comes to full bloom in winter. Growing up to 20 feet, this plant can survive temperatures as low as minus 9 degrees centigrade.
The foliage is quite dense and can act as an attractive coverage over a bare wall. The male plants display bright and showy flowers. A beautiful native plant like the Coast Silktassel would make your winter garden come to life.
Inkberry
The evergreen Inkberry plants can grow up to a height of 8 feet. They are sturdy and can survive the harshest winter months. Partial sunlight, sufficient soil moisture, and acidic pH are all that Inkberries need to thrive.
The flowers are small and green in color. The fruits are bluish-black and at times purple. The delicate leaves and the colorful fruits create a nice visual impression.
The berries of Inkberry are favorite with birds like Cedar Waxwings, Chickadees, and American Robins, among others.
Rhododendron
The bright and beautiful rhododendrons are eternal favorites in gardens across the country. In the winter months, they stay best if kept away from the direct sun.
It is a bit of an effort to grow rhododendrons but once done, these attractive plants do add a lot of beauty to the winter gardens. All the maintenance that the rhododendrons need is periodical pruning and watering.
American Holly
The beautiful native American Holly plants promise a riot of colors all around the year. In fall, they sport bright red berries and cream-colored flowers. The leaves are sharp and pointed. The American Holly can grow in various soil types and also in partial sunlight.
The colorful American Holly would decorate your winter garden. And you would enjoy the chirpings of Grey Catbirds, Northern Mockingbirds, and others of their ilk. These birds make the American Holly their home.
Bring home the American Holly. This is among the most attractive native American winter plants.
American Beautyberry
The shining purple berries of the American Beautyberry add a lot of color to the winter gardens of the Southeastern states. It can grow comfortably even in minus 20 degrees centigrade.
The berries start to appear in the fall season and remain in the winter. This makes the American Beautyberry a fitting native winter plant that is beautiful as well as functional.
This is the source of food for various native birds in the harsh winters. The American Beautyberry grows up to 8 feet and requires little water for survival. It attracts many pollinators as well.
Blackhaw
The Blackhaw is easy to grow and easier to maintain. The white flowers grow in clusters and yield pinkish-black fruits in the winter season.
Various avian species are attracted to the Blackhaw. The purple foliage adds to the beauty. Blackhaws are from the deciduous family and can grow up to approximately 15 feet.
Firecracker Penstemon
True to its name, the bright orange and red flowers of the Firecracker Penstemon do create an impression of lit firecrackers. Growing in clusters, these flowers attract the tiny and beautiful hummingbirds, among others. The Firecracker Penstemon grows primarily in the drier Southwestern regions.
Easy to maintain, these hardy plants can withstand temperatures as low as minus 26 degrees centigrade. Place them in pathways or at random anywhere in the garden. They are a welcome addition everywhere in your winter garden. Also, the Firecracker Penstemon comes with many medicinal benefits.
Staghorn Sumac
This is a large shrub that can grow as tall as 25 feet. The bright crimson flowers appear in June and survive even the toughest winter months. Staghorn Sumacs make for a stunning display with their shining red foliage.
Among the most colorful winter plants, Staghorn Sumacs attract various bird species that would add to the beauty of your winter garden.
Pink Chaparral Currant
The Pink Chaparral Currant grows in California, Sierra Nevada, and parts of the South Coast Ranges. The beautiful pink flowers are in full bloom throughout the winter months.
These plants grow fast and attract many birds and pollinators. Place it with summer and spring-blooming trees and enjoy the beauty the contrast would bring.
So, go on and get hold of one or more of these beautiful winter plants for 2022. And take a walk in the garden in the winter months once these plants are in full bloom. “Dark and dreary” would not be your description of winters anymore.
