SEASONAL COLOR
Brighten up your landscape for fall, winter interest
After the beauty and abundance of a wet summer, the fall and winter months can be a little dull.
But with planning, t hese seasons also can be showy.
If you have not already done so, consider planting pansies to add to your spring color display and to provide a little needed color during those cool, sometimes dreary months. Even if you don't feel like planting beds, consider planting a pot by the front door or on a patio that you will be able to see from the inside all winter.
Pansies are extremely cold hardy, will tolerate snow and ice and are almost totally care-free. If we do have a dry winter, or they are in pots on a covered patio, you will need to remember to water them.
Other cool-season plants that tolerate colder winter temperatures include ornamental kale and cabbage and snapdragons.
Landscape plants can brighten up winter days, as well. Because our winter landscapes are generally barren, adding just a few winter-interest plants to your outdoor spaces can make a statement since they will stand out. There is still time to plant many trees and shrubs this month, so you could add some winter color to your landscape.
Some woody shrubs have colorful stems that look pretty all winter. The Redosier Dogwood (Cornus sericea) has red stems and the yellow twig version of this species (C.s. “Flaviramea”) has yellow stems, as the name implies. The Japanese Kerria (Kerria japonica) has bright green arching stems and early spring rose-like yellow flowers.
Several trees offer great bark color and texture. The London Planetree (Platanus x acerifolia), Lacebark Elm (Ulmus parvifolia) and Heritage River Birch (Betula nigra “Heritage”) all have beautiful trunks that stand out in the fall and winter landscape.
Don't forget those trees and shrubs that have colorful berries, like the various hollies, and often provide wildlife a winter food source. The deciduous hollies are also spectacular, covered in bright red, orange or yellow berries that will persist well into the winter months.
Other woody plants with colorful berries include the Chokeberries (both red and black fruits, Aronia arbutifolia and A. melanocarpa, respectively); Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) with white, pink or purple fruit; and Hawthorns (Crataegus spp.).
One of my favorite shrubs is Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum), which blooms in midwinter with cascades of bright yellow blossoms. Another good choice is the Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia), which is pretty to look at in any season!
Of course, evergreen trees, shrubs and ground covers all create winter interest, as well.
When planning your gardens and landscape, consider OSU Oklahoma Proven Selections. To see all the plants recommended by the Oklahoma Proven Program for the last 20 years, go to http://www.oklahomaproven.org/.
Keep in mind that winter interest landscape plants will be enjoyed mostly while gazing out your windows during the coldest parts of the year! So, when planning, think of whether you will be able to view these plants from indoors.
Another view to consider is where you come and go in your vehicle, like near a driveway.
Or maybe you just want to plant some winter interest for others to see as they drive by. Either way, winter months can be a much brighter with some planning now.