I’ve completed the main categories for Winter Interest, but in my research I also found a few other items of interest that can be placed in an herb garden to create Winter Interest, so I am including them here at the end of the series to round out the information I have provided.Winter interest is a concept employed by some gardeners in cold climates who still want to have something of interest in their garden when it goes dormant and when it’s covered in snow. Most often, winter interest is achieved by using architectural plants and elements that will remain standing all winter. Sometimes it is the outline of the form of the plant, such as a leafless dwarf weeping maple that provides interest. Evergreens are popular, not just because they remain green, but also because they look attractive holding onto snow. A few perennials, such as sedum and the stiffer ornamental grasses, also remain attractive throughout the winter season. In areas where snow cover is substantial, the outline of paths and structures like arbors and benches are the only means of defining the winter garden space.One plant largely left out of my series was grass. ... [More]
In the winter, more than any other season, the basic structure and outline of garden and plants takes on a greater importance. The rest of the year poor silhouettes can be hidden with masses of color and blooms, but in winter, with so little activity in the garden they become more noticeable.
Pleasing or interesting silhouetted plants include:
Weeping Trees and Shrubs
Unusual Branch Patterns
Pyramidal/Upright Growth Habit
Rounded/Horizontal Growth Habit
Adding Weight Generally speaking, evergreens and deciduous trees with stout, heavy limbs add weight to a garden space. Contrast that with thinner branched, deciduous trees whose structure and silhouettes are more delicate and light. Try to maintain a pleasing balance in the garden by taking these tendencies into consideration. If you planted one small deciduous tree in front of a mass of large evergreens it might end up looking pathetic and sickly in the winter. On the other hand, a group of them together could create a pleasing interlacing of delicate branches that compliment each other.
Focal Points Be aware of the surrounding sky line when it comes to focal point silhouettes. Some plants, such as a beautiful weeping tree, or the twisted branches of the ‘Harry...[More]
When the leaves fall in autumn, some shrubs and trees reveal what might be their most ornamental and beautiful element; their bark. So easily overlooked when first selecting a tree or shrub for your garden design, this is an important aspect to consider when looking at a year-round garden. After all, with fewer flowers to distract, every element in a winter garden is on display.
Texture: Some bark is lovely because of its unique texture like the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) which is a large stately shade tree growing 60-75' tall and 50-60' wide. It is hardy in zones 4-8 and the bark ages to a dark gray-brown that contrasts nicely with the snow and adds texture with its long, deep furrows and ridges. Bright golden leaves in the fall make this a lovely addition to the landscape.
The Heritage Birch Tree (Betula bigra 'Heritage') is hardy in zones 3b-9 and grows 40-60' tall and 40-60' wide. The texture of its bark is unique with the beautiful silvery outer bark peeling back in large patches to reveal a creamy tan inner bark. It is also another tree with brilliant fall foliage.
