Winter is full of surprising color
When I was at Ohio State University studying landscape horticulture, I took several plant identification classes with Dr. Steve Still. He was my adviser as well as the founder of the Perennial Plant Association, and an allaround terrific plantsman.
During those classes he would use terms like “ruddy,” “dull” and others similar to describe some of the fall colors of plants. I used to use those terms as well.
However, I have come to a point in my life where any color in the landscape works when it comes to fall and winter colors.
We have so much color in the landscape during the spring and summer seasons. Spring brings us the pinks, purples, whites, and a variety of color in that spectrum while summer tends to bring a bevy of reds, oranges, yellows and more.
But in the fall and winter, I get enjoyment from just about any color from any part of a plant!
I remember one particularly long, drab, cold winter when I was sitting at a stoplight in Grandview, Ohio. I glanced over at a restaurant that still had its dry holiday greens in outdoor containers. My spirits were lifted and I was delighted in seeing a nice golden-brown color in those pots.
Recently I have been looking around for plants that have a nice brown fall color. I started using the terms russet, bronze, golden-brown and others to describe these plants, instead of “dull.” I noticed that several of the newer star magnolias have a beautiful light-bronze color and hold their leaves past a hard frost. I have two in my landscape. Compared to the large saucer magnolias, with their green fall color, the star magnolias really stand out.
Other favorite russet-brown, fall-colored plants include dawn redwood and bald cypress trees. These are deciduous conifers that love moist areas of the landscape and are outstanding.
Yellow is another fall color that can either be bright, golden and shocking in the landscape or ruddy, dull and not-so-noticeable. The pure golden yellow of the gingko tree is one of my favorites.
Granted, not all plants have a nice fall color. I have two Japanese maples in the front of my house that have beautifully shaped leaves and a compact structure. However, these have absolutely no fall color as the leaves turn a dried-out green.
Use your powers of observation this fall and winter and let me know via email about the colors you’re seeing in the landscape. Winter really isn’t bland and boring, you know.