Episode 151: Underappreciated Plants for Winter Interest

Let's Argue About Plants

During the winter months many plants reveal subtle patterns, fine details, and a new range of colors that help us to see familiar beds and borders with fresh eyes. This is an excellent time to get outside, evaluate your garden’s bones, and make some plans for spring planting. In this episode Danielle, Carol, and their guest will explore some of the plants that fly a bit under the radar in winter months, but certainly deserve more attention. Do you have any of these underappreciated wonders in your landscape? If not, you may want to start digging holes as soon as the ground thaws to ensure that some of these unsung heroes get some well-deserved garden real estate. Will any of these winter beauties make it onto your wish list this year?

Jay Sifford is the owner and principal designer at Jay Sifford Garden Design in Charolette, North Carolina.

Danielle's Plants

Spotted wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata, Zones 4-8)

‘Peppermint Patty’ bergenia (Bergenia 'Peppermint Patty', Zones 4-8)

Moosewood (Acer pensylvanicum, Zones 3-7)

‘ReJoyce’ drooping laurel (Leucothoe axillaris 'ReJoyce', Zones 6-9)

Carol's Plants

Golden Duke Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis ‘Monjers’, Zones 4–8)

American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana, Zones 3b–9)

'Little Heath' pieris (Pieris japonica 'Little Heath’, Zones 5–9)

‘St. Mary’s Broom’ blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘St. Mary’s Broom’, Zones 2-7)

Expert’s Plants

American witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana, Zones 3-8)

'Shades of Pink' laurustinus (Viburnum tinus 'Shades of Pink', Zones 7b-10)

Blue conifers with assorted ornamental grasses

'Louie’ white pine (Pinus strobus 'Louie’, Zones 4-9)