Winter shapes, colors and textures

Flower & Garden Magazine, Nov-Dec, 1998 by Molly Dean

FLORAL ESSENCE

Not only faded grass "inflorescences," also withered blooms and seed heads of common garden perennials add interesting forms, patterns and hints of color during the coldest months. Some of these include the well-known sedum `Autumn Joy' and purple or white coneflower (Echinacea) with their prickly, rusty-dark seed cones. I enjoy the faded brown panicles of butterfly bush flowers (Buddleia Davidii) which I always think of as winter lilacs. As winter progresses, hydrangea flowers take on not just colors of old lace, but also its fragile weave and transparency, especially when the florets are highlighted by the winter sun.

Some winter flowers, though, are not merely ghosts of an earlier, glorious prime. Plants which actually provide colorful winter flowers include such early blooming bulbs as the crocus, the snowdrop and the winter aconite. My small snow crocuses with their starry yellows, lavenders and soft blues, spangle the leafy garden floor sometimes within a few weeks after Christmas. I enjoy the surprise of these crocuses' appearance in unexpected corners. The squirrels have helped to naturalize the increasing colonies over the years. In mild areas the Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) often bears its snowy-white to dusty-pink flowers during the Christmas season. This plant is one of the earliest of all shade flowers to bloom. Among the earliest flowering shrubs and trees to flower is the witch hazel; this plant's whimsical, spidery orange or yellow flowers sometimes defy subzero temperatures. The flowering apricot (Prunus Mume `Peggy Clarke') is also an extra-early bloomer, flaunting delicate sprays of deep rosy bloom against cold winter skies in Zones 6-9.

The beauties of winter gardens, dictated by uncertain weather conditions, are fragile, fleeting and subtle. Because of these qualities, though, they are to be valued like the rarest jewels. Much is written about planning for winter gardens -- and planning is certainly a factor. Chances are, though, many of us are unaware of the "winter gardens" already blooming in our back yard. The key to their discovery is to look at gardens with a different perspective and learn to appreciate winter's more subtle beauties.

Molly Dean is a frequent contributor to Flower and Garden magazine.