A garden in winter does not have to be gray and sad. So I make sure that the view outside the window is interesting and lively at any time of the year.
Evergreen plantsI have many evergreen plants, but they are not the most important in the cold months. Of course, they are associated with a winter landscape and they are very fond of the whiteness of the snow duvet. In my region, however, most of them are covered with mulch or ordinary agrotextile and it does not decorate them too much.
Shrubs with ornamental fruitSo I chose shrubs with colorful fruit, twisted shoots and interesting habit. They are the ones that decorate the garden regardless of the season.
- The magnificent scarlet fire is the leader. It is distinguished by beautiful fiery and yellow fruits. It freezes over in severe frosts, but recovers well after pruning. Additionally, in the early spring, it is a snack for greenfinches and other birds.
- A sea buckthorn grows next to the firefly. Orange clusters can be seen on its twigs with numerous thorns. These are the fruits that stay on the bush throughout the winter. They are edible. They have a lot of vitamin C. They taste best when they are cold. Then I collect them for tea.
- In turn, mountain ash, or a tree popularly known as rowan, has fruits that color beautifully in July. They stay red until winter. Its most interesting variety is 'Pendula'. It has twigs hanging down to the ground. Its grapes are a real delicacy for thrushes, bullfinches and colorful waxwings.
- Irgi are lying low to the ground. Among the many varieties, evergreen shrubs with shiny leaves and bright fruit are the most attractive. To stimulate them to grow more vigorously, I always trim them in spring.
- Another plant that pleases you until frost is barberry. It decorates the garden all year round. It grows well even in poor soil and is very easy to reproduce. Self-seeders appear almost every year in spring.
- In the snow-covered landscape, vinegar sumac and yellow-branch Manchurian willow also stand out.
- Frost-touched ornamental grasses, white dogwood and palm maple look great. The olive and the ash maple enchant with their silver bark.
Bushes with colorful fruit attract many species of birds to my winter garden. On a frosty morning, it's nice to hear them chirping. In such a scenery it is nice to have fun in the snow and long walks.
Anna Witkowska
