Winter Landscapes, identifying the bones of design

 While many regions experience winter storm advisories, others experience above average seasonal warmth. Still, all share some form of a bare landscape. So, the winter season remains an ideal time of year to look critically at the backbone of a garden, the elements which year-round are fixtures in a landscape.

As flowers fade and only skeletons of perennials or bare structures of deciduous trees and shrubs stand, evergreens dominate the landscape. Other structures, such as arbors, fences, walls and even benches also stand out. Carefully placed sculptures, specimen plants or garden ornaments become focal points of winter garden interest.

 

Well-designed landscapes do provide the opportunity of outdoor interest year-a-round. So, what can be used to create seasonal interests? A few ideas are:

• highlight larger tree trunks with up-lighting which enables dramatic night time views.
• install groupings of tall ornamental grasses or interesting bark plants such as Red or Yellow Twigged Dogwoods.

• install Hollies which provide berry bearing branches for the holidays, and for months afterwards.
• place low growing evergreens around a house foundation; specifically, including those of unique color such as dwarf Blue Spruces or Golden False Cypresses.
• install small trees such as Paper Bark Maple or Stewartia which have interesting tree trunks.

Believe it or not, there are plant as well as design options that can make a winter landscape come alive, be eco-chic. Eye-pleasing winter landscapes first and foremost consist of an underlying year-round structural design. Still, it is soft-scapes – plants – which create seasonal color and texture. So, instead of thinking of a winter landscape in terms of it being dormant or evergreen, plan and install a few plants that contrast with traditional options.

Michael McConkey, owner of Edible Landscaping located in Afton Virginia, says, “I’ve spent many years growing, grafting and testing hundreds of plant varieties; in fact, I've named many of them myself. Through selecting only the easiest-to-care-for plants, which need little or no preventive maintenance and look terrific in your yard, I’ve discover many plants that do-well year around.” Related to winter landscapes, McConkey suggests winter blooming apricot, Japanese apricot or Ume, which he says, “I’ve seen its winter blooms and picked fruit by July.” Another option he suggests is Arkansas Black Apple, a small tree that bears excellent tasting winter apples. McConkey further says, “Sheng persimmon has exceptionally large, glossy green leaves, moderate fall coloration and bears 3-4" orange fruit that linger well after frost and of course, a winter landscape should not exclude Arp Rosemary, a plant winter-hardy through Zone 6 that has handsome bushy spruce-like leaves.”

Japanese apricot or Ume adds bloom to a winter landscape.

Although evergreen trees and shrubs remain the prominent contributors to a winter landscape, larger, cover-story trees should not simply be installed to add texture or frame a garden but provide winter shelter for birds and, if strategically selected, be food sources. “Most nut-bearing trees,” says McConkey bear well-past frost. And, their bounty could either remain untouched as a habitat food source or be harvested for human consumption. Under-story trees and shrubs are another layer of habitat which if berry-bearing, bring into the landscape further opportunities for contrast of color and texture.”

Only Jack Frost's incompatibility affects the choice of edibles that can be companion planted with a winter landscape. So, become aware of your area’s cool weather vegetable planting strategies.

Because winter soil and air temperatures vary according to geographic location, planting zone as well as back yard micro-climatic conditions, identify the parameters for an edible groundcover planting. Generally speaking, broccoli, cauliflower and the entire group of crops in the cool season family - lettuce, onion, parsnip and spinach - seeds germinate in soil temperatures as low as 35o F. Seeds for other vegetable favorites such as cabbage, carrots and celery germinate in soil temperature as low as 40o F. All of these vegetables, and more, have the potential of being suitability for a winter landscape.

A few ‘tried and proven’ personal favorites can be obtained through The Cooks' Garden located in Pennsylvania and Renee’s Garden located in California. One option is Cook’s Garden carrot custom five variety blend. The fern-like leaf structure lends a soft green texture to the landscape and underlying ready to pick yellow, orange or white carrots provide an ongoing array of edible vegetables. Another option, a year round lettuce collection, also provides seasonal leaf color as well as ready to pick salad mixtures.

 

As a hands-on gardener, I've found Renee's Garden products to work-well for my central Virginia garden. As a developer of seeds, Renee is viewed as a pioneering innovator in introducing vegetable, flower and herb choices for gardeners and gourmet restaurants. While the choice of quality suppliers can seem endless, I have found two others, D. Landreth Seed Company located in Pennsylvania and the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange located in Mineral Virginia that work-well for me. Both vendors participate in Virginia horticulture events such as the Heritage Harvest Festival held at the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants and have outstanding lines of heirloom seed choices.

As you progress into the spring season, evaluate your landscape. It is never too late to add interest and color. Evaluate the underlying structural elements and then, if necessary, adjust the hardscape. Then, evaluate the design’s expanded use of trees and shrubs. And, finally, focus on the installation of seasonal surprise elements: a colorful edible landscape. Make your landscape more than an eye-pleasing winter design, a garden that consists of traditional plants. Make it edible!

As gardeners, we not only have opportunities to make a difference through personal choices but can influence others through our use of green space, both rural and urban. For additional eco tips and strategies, visit web site TheWrightScoop.

 Side Bar: Recommended Resource:

• Edible Landscaping, www.ediblelandscaping.com , 1-800-524-4156
• The Cooks' Garden, www.cooksgarden.com, 800-457-9703
• Renee’s Garden, www.reneesgarden.com , 888-880-7228
• D. Landreth Seed Company, www.landrethseeds.com, 800-654-2407
• Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, www.southernexposure.com, 540-894-9480
• Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants, www.heritageharvestfestival.com.