December plants
Tom rounds off the year with a selection of plants that offer both colour and texture from a bright early flowering camellia to a pale Christmas rose and a ghostly willow
PANICUM VIRGATUM ‘KUPFERHIRSE’
Perhaps not the first grass many look to for winter interest, preferring instead sedges with their evergreen foliage, but a well-sited and floriferous panicum takes some beating at this time of year. In summer it adds texture and delicacy to a border, but as the foliage begins to dry and becomes brittle, its tones are exquisite. I especially love it on those crisp, sunny December days when the light plays with the rippling foliage and the drops of moisture that collect on spent seedheads.
Height 90cm-1.2m.
Origin Garden origin (species from North America).
Conditions Free-draining, moistureretentive soil; full sun.
Hardiness RHS H5, USDA 5a-9b. Season of interest Late summer into the winter.
LUNARIA REDIVIVA
In late spring and early summer this perennial honesty has white f lowers with hints of lilac above dark-green, finely toothed leaves. During
December, these elliptical seedheads – which always remind me of tiny pieces of hanging tracing paper – appear, looking stunning when backlit by the winter sunshine. This is a plant that is best-placed at the rear of a border, so that once your perennials have died down you can enjoy these seedheads and find a new appreciation of honesty. AGM.
Height 60-90cm.
Origin Europe.
Conditions Fertile, well-drained soil; full sun or partial shade.
Hardiness RHS H5, USDA 5a-8b.
Season of interest Flowering in May and June with glorious seedheads in winter.
IRIS UNGUICULARIS ‘MARY BARNARD’
I’m always amazed at how tolerant of incredibly poor and sun-baked positions this species of iris can be. Often, they hug walls and enjoy a roasting during the summer and then reward us in winter with large, violet f lowers that have contrasting yellow signals. Flowering in December isn’t without its challenges, but by planting against a sunny wall, you reduce the impact of the hard frosts, which can damage the freshly emerged flowers. If f lowers are hit by the frost, many more soon appear. AGM.
Height 50cm.
Origin Garden origin (species from eastern Mediterranean and North Africa). Conditions Free-draining soil; a sheltered position in full sun. Hardiness RHS H5.
Season of interest December – February.