Creating Winter Interest               

"Anyone who thinks that gardening begins in the spring & ends in the fall is missing the best part of the year.  For gardening begins in January with the dream" -Josephine Nuese   

Now is the time to take a critical look at your yard, as in winter the "gaps & holes" will be more apparent.  A great garden gives you something to admire every month of the year.  In winter "the bones" of your creation will be showing for all to see.  While most gardens are a flurry of flowers in June, a truly exceptional planting will offer the eye something to linger over before spring even arrives.

So here's my suggested recipe for a standout winter garden.

-Add some Early bloomers to your mix

Hamamelis 'Arnold Promise' (Witch Hazel)

Hellebores (Lenten Rose)

-Stir in some Beautiful berries

-Ilex verticillata (Winterberry)

Malus (Ornamental Crabapples)

Myrica (Bayberry)

Pyracantha (Firethorn)

Rosa rugosa  (Rugosa Rose)

-Don't forget the most important ingredient, Evergreens

Buxus (Boxwood)

Chamaecyparis  (False Cypress)

Junipers

Picea (Spruce)

Taxus (Yew)

Thuja (Arborvitae)

-Now a little pinch of Plants with interesting bark

Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple)

Betula (Birch)

Platanus (London Plane Tree)

-And the final spice, Shrubs with colorful stems

Cornus sericea 'Cardinal'

Cornus alba , racemosa, sericea (Red / Yellow twig Dogwoods)

Your recipe is complete!  Next winter while sipping your coffee, you will be savoring your own creation just outside the window.

Chagrin Valley Nurseries

1370 Chagrin River Road

P.O. Box 40

Gates Mills, Ohio 44040

PH: 440-423-3363

FX:440-423-1113