PLANTS THAT HAVE STRUCTURE IN THE WINTER
Ornamental grasses provide movement in the wind and texture all winter. Songbirds are attracted to seed heads that remain on perennial plants. While the birds are enjoying this natural source of food, you will
enjoy the beauty of both the plants and the action that they create during an otherwise quiet time of year in the garden.
BRANCHES THAT PUT ON A SHOW
Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’) with its deep red branches is a great winter accent. Popular in outdoor urns and window boxes for seasonal decoration in winter. Best grown in rich, moist soils in full sun to part shade. Hardy to Zone 2.
FLOWERS THAT BLOOM THROUGH THE SNOW
Depending on what part of the country you live in, you will enjoy the early blooms and glossy green foliage of what’s commonly called the Christmas rose (Helleborus). On the west coast, the happy-looking flowers pop out as early as November, while the other provinces usually must wait until February or March when the packed snow is gone. Bonus: the foliage is deer resistant.
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Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author, broadcaster and tree advocate
and holds the Order of Canada. His son, Ben, is a fourth-generation
urban gardener and a graduate of the University of Guelph and Dalhousie
University in Halifax. Follow them at markcullen.com, @MarkCullen4
(Twitter) and @markcullengardening (Facebook) and look for their latest book, Escape to Reality.
Follow them at markcullen.com, @MarkCullen4, facebook.com/markcullengardening and biweekly on Global TV’s national morning show, The Morning Show.
