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Ever Green .... Color for Fall and Winter

© Kathy Reiffenstein

The lushness of summer is starting to fade, the spent blossoms fallen like so many discarded party balloons. It is very tempting, and even expected, to shut down the garden, to just yank out the dying petunias, clean out the containers and store them away for next spring. But before you close up for the season, consider another alternative. September is actually an excellent time to replant those containers to add interest, texture and color to your garden this fall and winter.

There is a surprisingly large number of choices to brighten any autumn day. Evergreen shrubs come in shades ranging from deep green to silvery blue to bright gold. Ornamental grasses add graceful movement and many have striking seedheads that complement their spiky leaves. Deciduous shrubs offer color and, frequently, berries which are a beautiful accent and offer food for the birds.

Plant the container as you would at any other time of the year, using good quality, organic potting soil to ensure excellent drainage. Water well to get it established and add a slow release fertilizer, according to package instructions. The two key elements to manage during the winter months are cold and wet. Raise the container up on plant feet or small, overturned, terra cotta plant saucers so that excess water will be able to drain freely, preventing soggy roots. In areas where severe frost is likely, wrap the container, including the plant, in plastic or burlap to insulate it. Or, if possible, move the containers to a more protected area until the risk of frost has passed.

Here are just a few of my favorite fall and winter plants, from the many possibilities available. Spend some time exploring your local nursery to see what else appeals to you. Also check out the web site for the American Conifer Society for some helpful information on versatile evergreens.

EVERGREEN SHRUBS

• Mugho Pine (Pinus mugo’Winter Gold’) – in winter, the needles of this compact conifer turn golden yellow.

• Juniper (Juniperus squamata’Blue Star’) – graceful, spreading foliage forms a silvery-blue carpet.

• Heath (Erica) – these low-growing, bushy plants come in a variety of flower and foliage colors, including green, bronze, gold, red, pink, purple and white. Small, bell-shaped flowers last all winter.

• Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei’Emerald ‘n Gold’) – hardy in cold climates, this low-growing shrub has small, glossy, green leaves edged in gold, and will take either sun or shade.

DECIDUOUS SHRUBS

• Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii’Rose Glow’) – these graceful, deciduous shrubs come in a variety of leaf shades, ranging from greeny gold to dark reddish purple. ‘Rose Glow’ is bronzy red marbled with pinkish white. Bright red berries decorate the branches all winter.

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