Think ‘Snow’ in Your Garden

Gardeners must be tenacious and ready to tackle the worst of conditions. Wintertime could be seen as a difficult phase for this crusty lot but if you look at all the common names that include the word ‘snow’, it becomes obvious that ‘real gardeners’ are downright hardy folks. Here are a few plants to get you thinking about spring while snow blankets our borders.

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’ is described by Michael Dirr “as the most beautiful of the sterile flowered-forms.” This special Oakleaf Hydrangea offers summertime interest. Its stunning white blossoms and sculptural, coarse-textured foliage have beautiful fall color and interesting cinnamon-toned exfoliating bark. This is a good companion plant for a River Birch in your winter garden and is hardy to Zones 5 through 9.

Galanthus nivalis, usually known as the Common Snowdrop, is a member of the Amaryllis family and one of the earliest flowering bulbs to emerge in the spring. Its low-growth habit makes it a nice groundcover bulb.

Trillium grandiflorum, Snow Trillium is a low-growing woodland wildflower. It is part of the lily family and likes afternoon shade and moist soil. This plant blooms in early spring and is one of those plants that can be slow to cultivate. Bees, ants and even chipmunks help in this plant’s pollination process. Do not deadhead flowers; let nature do its job. Seeing a trillium in bloom during a walk in the woods is a rare treat.

Cerastium tomentosum, Snow-In-Summer, is an old-fashioned sturdy perennial; great for rock gardens or for planting the nooks and crannies of walls or boulders. It is perfect for a full-sun, hot, dry location. This ground-hugging perennial with its silver foliage is as much of a feature as its tiny white flowers.

Prunus subhirtella ‘Pendula’ x. ‘Snow Fountains’, Weeping Snow Fountains Cherry is a dwarf-flowering cherry tree with cascading branches that touch the ground. When covered with white blossoms in the spring, it creates a fountain-like appearance. Although the show can be short-lived, it is well worth it.
Heuchera sanguinea 'Snow Angel' is another perfect perennial that thrives even in coastal conditions. This plant can handle dry shade and is great for borders. Its foliage offers an unusual texture; something gardeners always seek when selecting plants. It is also a very long-lived perennial. You may even be lucky enough to see butterflies and hummingbirds fluttering around its pink flowers.
So in perfect harmony, the inspirational thought for the day is by an unknown chap with the right attitude. “When it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels.” Enjoy your Wednesday. Sorry the post is late. I was outside making snow angels! Annie

Tuesdays with Annie 01 05 2010

Yesterday’s brain teasers offer a mix of winter interest trees to help you plan your garden for next year’s snow cover. Structure, bark texture and bird habitat make it more spring-like in what, otherwise, is a stark landscape. Another one of the teasers offers a possible winter hobby for gardeners - bonsai.

1) All bonsai plants, whether temperate or tropical should be kept outdoors during good weather. True. Both temperate and tropical bonsai should be kept outside and brought in when the appropriate temperatures are applicable. Tropical bonsai cannot be exposed to freezing temperatures and can grow indoors year-round with proper sunlight. However, the tropical bonsai will thrive if brought outside during the warm season weather, preferably May through September. The temperate bonsai is the most difficult to grow because of its requirements for a cold dormant period. If you keep a temperate bonsai inside all year-round providing an endless summer, the plant will automatically go dormant after a couple of years, causing stress and ultimately killing the plant. How would your body respond if you didn’t sleep for two years?

2) Spruce Trees tend to be deer-resistant. True. For those readers who have asked for deer-resistant plant materials, please find this .pdf Cornell University link to help you choose some options when planning for your spring garden. (http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/factsheets/deerdef/bridgen_list.pdf) There is also a book on the market called "Deer-Resistant Landscaping; Proven Advice and Strategies for Outwitting Deer and 20 Other Pesky Mammals," by Neil Soderstrom (Rodale Inc., $23.95). Unfortunately, if deer are desperate enough, these cute but pesky creatures have been known to munch things on the ‘Do no eat’ list.

3) Acer griseum is a pest found in most maple trees. False. Acer griseum, Paperbark Maple is one of Annie’s favorite maple trees. Its beautiful cinnamon-colored bark provides spectacular winter interest in your garden. This maple’s slow-growing habit makes it an exceptional specimen tree. It is also used as bonsai.

4) Betula nigra, River Birch has low resistance to the birch borer. False. River Birch has a high resistance to birch borer, a nasty pest that hits many other types of Birch, primarily White-barked Birches (i.e., Paper, Himalayan and Asian White Birch). River Birch has beautiful peach-colored exfoliating bark and form. This is another one of Annie’s favorites for winter interest trees, especially the Heritage variety, which has the most vibrant color.

5) Holly shrubs provide great winter nesting areas for birds. True. These evergreen shrubs provide winter protection as well as valuable food for birds. But remember, not all hollies are evergreen. If you check back to Tuesdays with Annie 10 27 09 http://bilowzassociates.blogspot.com/2009/10/tuesdays-with-annie-10-27-09.html, there is one holly that is deciduous! Do you remember without peeking?

The inspirational thought for the day is by Ward Elliot Hour. “The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination.” As I pointed out yesterday, use your winter dormancy period to broaden your perspective.

A spring moment -Acer griseum (Paperbark Maple) - Photo by Greg Bilowz

Monday Morning Brain Teasers 01 04 2010

Holy Toledo – it is the first Monday in 2010 so let’s jump on board and tackle today’s brain teasers. Remember, it is a true or false format and the answers are provided in tomorrow’s post, Tuesdays with Annie.

1) All bonsai plants, whether temperate or tropical should be kept outdoors during good weather.

2) Spruce Trees tend to be deer-resistant.

3) Acer griseum is a pest found in most maple trees.

4) Betula nigra, River Birch has low resistance to the birch borer.

5) Holly shrubs provide great winter nesting areas for birds.

So here we are in 2010, promising gardeners with snow shovel in hand, ready to ‘trade up’ to our planting tools. Wintertime can be the appreciation factor if you open your eyes to the possibilities. This time is set aside for gardeners to learn and discover the many details that slipped by during the planting season regarding horticulture, design and growing your own vegetables. So use this time wisely to absorb knowledge, ideas and tips during your dormancy period. To kick off the New Year, today’s inspirational thought for the day is by Robert H. Schuller. “Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.” Wise advice as we head into a new year.

Photo by Greg Bilowz - River Birch (Betula nigra)