As a new yr march in and wintertime snows arrive , I ’m always caught off guard by the subtle beauty in the garden . lustrous colors , hummingbirdsand butterflies no longer grab my center ; they ’re long gone . Instead , the knockout I regain comes from different , more subtle source . The snow lie on a perennial seminal fluid capitulum , the creamy ecru of an ornamental grass rustling in the malarkey , the icing crisping the boundary of a leaf . wintertime in the garden is a special time . But , nothing soak up my attention more than my evergreens .
As I ’ve build my recurrent garden and foundation plantings over the years here in Pennsylvania , I ’ve try out my best to contribute alone evergreen plant shrubs to the mix . I find that though they may not take halfway stage during the arise season , they certainly become the stars of the show when winter arrives . Not only do they provide people of color through their green or variegate leafage , they also lend an interesting shape and texture to the winter landscape .
I ’d like to introduce you to three of my favorite evergreen plant , one that will move your garden beyond the ubiquitous boxwood and arborvitae . These mixture all have a home in my garden , and they are all unique and interesting for different reasons .
Dwarf Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)
This is my favourite evergreen by far . Dwarf Hinoki cypress is a boring grower , taking 20 or more years to get through its mature height of 6 feet . The leafage is soft and fan - like , and the plant has a fooling conical soma . Mine are sit in full sun and never need to bepruned . I did suffer one a few years ago , however , because it was planted in a poorly drained area — Hinoki cypress do not wish to have wet ft ! There are several cultivars usable , as well , including Nana Gracilis and one called Nana Lutea , a short sort , reaching only 3 foot at maturity and its leafage is a golden - yellow .
Siberian Cypress (Microbiota decussata)
Siberian cypress hails from Russia and is unequalled in that it is resistant of partial shade , a trait not often found in conifers . I know this plant because it ’s low - uprise , reach only 12 inches in height , and its flaccid foliation broadcast out in sweeping rooter . At matureness , Siberian cypress can be 8 foot across . Mine is about 4 years older , and it measures 4 animal foot across . I have it sited at the top of a rock bulwark as the plant does best in well - drained locations . The foliage turns a beautiful out of practice Red River in the fall , add a colourful splash to myshade garden .
Gold Thread Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea’)
The mounding form of this flora , match with its slender , drape foliage , make it a real treasure in the winter garden . At maturity , this evergreen will reach 8 feet grandiloquent , but I lightly trim mine every class to keep it at a elevation of 4 feet . Although it will tolerate partial shade , I find the foliage is more dense in higher light conditions . I ’ve seen this plant used in commercial landscapes , where it ’s often pruned into a blotto little meatball shape . I find that such lowering pruning hide out the beautiful , loosely conic , born shape of this shrub . Plant it where it has plenty of elbow room to beam .
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Jessica Walliser
