Contact: Diane Relf, Extension Specialist, Environmental Horticulture
Posted April 1997
Year after year, we plan our gardens with an eye toward spring and summer. Too little consideration is given to the long, winter months and achieving year-round beauty in the landscape. Many plants display winter attributes that are every bit as attractive as their summer characteristics. Though coniferous evergreens provide green beauty throughout the cold season, there are several deciduous trees and shrubs with striking bark and colorful twigs and fruit.
Betula nigra (River Birch) - This native birch is an excellent alternative to the white-barked birches that are extremely susceptible to bronze birch borer. River birch is highly resistant to this insidious pest. The reddish-brown to peach-colored, flaky bark produces a warm effect against a white background. The bark of 'Heritage' tends to peel more and displays a salmon color. The tree can be grown on most soils and tolerates both wet and dry sites. A fast grower, river birch can reach 30 to 40 feet in height over 20 years.
Cornus sericea(Redosier Dogwood) - Redosier dogwood, a native shrub, adds a shock of color to the winter landscape. The young stems are bright red in the cold months, becoming more intensely colored toward spring. To encourage the growth of young stems with the brightest colors, cut back older stems to the ground in early spring.
Cornus sericea 'Flaviramea' (Yellow Twig Dogwood) - Similar to Redosier dogwood except the winter twigs are bright yellow.
Euonymus alatus(Winged Euonymus or Burning Bush) - The flaming-red shrub seen so frequently in the fall has winged stems and twigs that are quite attractive, especially after a snow when they catch and hold the glistening flakes. Under optimum conditions, this species can grow to a height and spread of 15 to 20 feet. Dwarf forms are available also.
Ilex verticillata(Winterberry) - Winterberry forms an oval rounded shrub that is excellent for mass effect or the shrub border. The sexes of this shrub are separate, so fruits are produced only on female plants, and only if a male plant is close. After the leaves drop (usually after the first frost), a profusion of bright-red berries is exposed. The berries will remain bright red well into winter or until eaten by birds. 'Sparkleberry,' a 1987 Styer award winner, holds its berries until early spring.
Myrica pensylvanica(Bayberry) - Bayberry is found growing naturally close to the ocean, and thus is highly salt tolerant. It thrives in poor, sterile, sandy soils, but is extremely adaptable to a variety of soil types. The plant is deciduous to semi-evergreen, so it may hold its leathery leaves through winter in some parts of the state. Clusters of gray-blue berries are borne in great quantities along the stems of the female plants. These berries are used in making bayberry candles.
Ulmus parvifolia(Chinese or Lacebark Elm) - This tough, durable tree is tolerant to poor soils and extremes in pH. During the winter months, its magnificent bark is exposed -- a mottled combination of gray, green, orange, and brown. Do not confuse this beautiful specimen with the inferior Ulmus pumila (Siberian Elm), that does not possess the desireable traits of the Lacebark elm.
(Originally published as "Plants for Winter Interest," by Ellen S. Bennett, Extension Technician, in The Virginia Gardener Newsletter, Volume 11, Number 12.)
Visit Virginia Cooperative Extension test