CORVALLIS, Ore. — In January and February, the flowers of winter arrive, blooming as cheerfully as the showoffs of spring.
“One of the coolest things about gardening in the Pacific Northwest is winter gardens,” said Neil Bell, horticulturist with the Oregon State University Extension Service. “Spring is overwhelming with flowers, but in winter it’s surprising. It’s nice to see something that’s so unexpected. And then there’s the scent — such an enjoyable thing.”
Mahonia ‘Charity’
One of the showiest cold-weather shrubs is Mahonia ‘Charity,’ a relative of native Oregon grape with bountiful spikes of yellow blooms. The large evergreen leaves give the plant a tropical look and make it a standout year-round. Snow is no deterrent for this easy-care, 10-foot shrub, which will take temperatures down to −5°F. A bonus is the multitude of blue berries.
Winter-blooming camellias
For those familiar only with spring-blooming camellias, Camellia sasanqua will come as a pleasant surprise, Bell said. Blooming in the middle of winter, this 8-foot camellia doesn’t get the mushy, brown flowers some hybrids display. White-blooming ‘Setsugekka’ is easy to find, as is ‘Yuletide,’ the most popular Camellia sasanqua, with Santa Claus-red flowers decorated with prominent yellow stamens. These flowers provide sustenance for overwintering Anna’s hummingbirds.
Sweetbox
In the darkest part of the year — sometimes before Christmas — the vanilla perfume of sweetbox hovers in the air. The small white flowers aren’t flashy, but the scent more than makes up for it. The shiny, dark green foliage is similar to its relative, boxwood, and is useful as a hedge or backdrop for colorful perennials and annuals in other seasons.
Several species are on the market, most commonly Sarcococca ruscifolia and S. confusa, both topping out at 5 feet. They tolerate temperatures down to about 5°F and grow happily in shady, dry areas of the garden, where many other plants struggle.
Grevillea victoriae
Bell points to Grevillea victoriae as one of his favorite winter-blooming plants. The 8-foot-tall and wide evergreen shrub, with small gray leaves and stems, can bloom from September through April once established. Unusual red-orange flowers emerge from rust-orange buds, making it a standout in the garden. It’s also attractive to hummingbirds and bees.
Chaparral currant
Blooming December through March — two months earlier than the Oregon native flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) — is the chaparral currant (R. malvaceum) of the California coastal ranges. The 5-foot shrub attracts hummingbirds that sip nectar and forage for insects among downward-facing pink flowers. The aromatic foliage is typically unappealing to deer.
Native silk tassel
Bell’s list wouldn’t be complete without native silk tassel (Garrya elliptica). This large shrub can grow up to 12 feet tall and wide, with glossy green leaves and white undersides. In winter, long chains of catkins — often 6 inches or more — hang in a waterfall effect. It’s also drought tolerant.
More shrubs to consider
These six shrubs, all hardy down to about 10–15°F or lower, are on Bell’s short list. Others worth researching include witch hazel (Hamamelis), winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum), Viburnum ‘Dawn,’ wintersweet (Chimonanthus) and Harry Lauder’s walking stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’).
“Having color in the garden in winter is not that hard to do,” Bell said. “Once you’re aware of the possibilities, it’s just a matter of planting the right plants.”
Previously titled Six stellar shrubs to brighten the winter garden
Comments are closed.