These three plants have caught my attention this winter because they are each striking in their own way. I like to keep track of the way a plant looks all year round so that I can recommend a variety of winter interest plants for my clients' gardens. The Yellowtwig Dogwood is a well known choice for winter gardens, along with its similar variety, the Redtwig Dogwood. This is a plant that will lose its leaves around November, and be completely bare by now, in mid January. A great plant pick to go against the backdrop of a solid evergreen, or to poke out amongst shorter shrubs. This grass, Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' is often chosen for its architectural qualities- tall, ... Read More
Archives for January 2012
Installing Hardscape & Planting in Winter in Seattle
We've had such a mild winter this year (2011-2012) in Seattle, so its tempting to get out in the garden and start planting and installing hardscape. Is it a good idea? It all depends on if there are freezing temperatures or snow in the forecast, so at best you can play it by ear. Here are some things to consider and steps to take: Check your soil's moisture level- dig down a bit, grab a handful, squeeze it in a ball- if it stays together when you toss it in the air, its probably too saturated to start planting etc in it. If it falls apart easily, then it's ready for planting and hardscaping. If you've had success with the above, then its also likely that your ground is not frozen, ... Read More