AS THE SEASON changes and the peak of blooms and color fade, it’s time to take a new perspective in the garden. Don’t think seasonal color…think architecture. 

Garden art and structures are the “hardscaping,” the things that do not move or change. At eye level and beyond, add a trellis, arbor, pergola or columns. Always choose an element that blends with the house or garden style so when the plants die down, the look left behind becomes garden architecture. Add pathways and rockery that will frame and give dimension to garden spaces. Small water features, fountains, birdbaths and garden art on pedestals or columns will add permanent features that the changing seasons cannot take away.

Bare trees become an interesting focal point for their unusual bark or branching habit. Landscape lighting further enhances the effect when placed at the base of trees to silhouette the framework.

Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum), a good tree for small gardens, just as the name implies has a cocoa brown bark that peels off paper-thin.
River Birch (Betula nigra), a shaggy barked tree with larger stature, the river birch is slender and elegant. The variety “Heritage” will begin to peel the bark at a younger age.
White bark Birches (Betula sp.) are especially effective as a centerpiece in a planting bed or small grove of 3, the stark white bark gives dimension against a backdrop of evergreen trees.
Coral bark Maple (Acer p. “Sango Kaku”) Brilliant new growth on the branches shows vibrant color in the winter that makes this Japanese maple a real standout. In a grove of evergreens or as a specimen by itself, the leafless silhouette shimmers deep coral color, as the weather gets colder.
Contorted Filbert (Corylus avellana “Contorta) also known as Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick, reveals twisting, curling branches as leaves drop off. It is more interesting in winter than in summer.  Heavy pruning in the spring makes its structure even more dramatic the following winter. As a bonus, the cuttings can be used for flower arrangements.
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo), a low stature evergreen tree, that sometimes seems an overgrown shrub, adds unique interest by showing off large fruits that resemble strawberries hanging from the branches.

For mixed borders and beds look for shrubs that are highlighted with colorful berries, branching habits or elegant evergreen foliage.

Shrubs:
Beautyberry (Callicarpa bodinieri) is a nice shrub in the summer season but becomes a fantastic shrub as it sheds it’s leaves, revealing porcelain-like purple berries all up and down the stems. Plant them where the berries are highlighted against a backdrop of evergreen shrubs or the drama of a burgundy New Zealand Flax (Phormium sp.)
Rose Glow Barberry (Berberis t. “Rose Glow”) give this plant time to mature unpruned and it will produce droplets of bright red berries along its graceful arching branches.
Roses, choose old garden roses and species rugosas for winter interest. Rugosas like “Hansa” and “Buffalo Gal” create an abundance of large hips as flower production stops. Rosa glauca is not grown for it is abundance of roses in the summer, but for it is smoky blue foliage in season and large burgundy hips that cling through the winter.
Snowberry, (Symphoricarpos a.) our native snowberry creates long arching branches clustered with pure white berries. Encourage its natural habit to mingle with evergreen huckleberries (Vaccinium ovatum) for a good winter effect.
Viburnums are a popular category of both evergreen and deciduous plants producing flowers in season followed by brilliantly colored fall berries. Some varieties to look for are European Cranberry bush (Viburnum opulus), Doublefile viburnum (Viburnum p. tomentosum) and Cranberry Bush (Viburnum trilobum)

Cotoneaster, a variety of large shrubs to low ground covers that are known for their stiff evergreen branches that create abundant sprays of rich red berries that cling all season long.
Red-Twig Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) also in yellow and orange, the twigs become more vibrant in color as the weather gets cooler. The leaves drop and the shrubs fill in spaces like colorful winter centerpieces. Perfect in the midst of mixed planting beds or along the fringes of native areas.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis sp.) mostly noted for its fragrant flowers in the winter, another feature of this plant is its open vase like habit.  The branches tend to zigzag creating architecture in the midst of a shrub border.  Place in the garden where it’s winter blooms and fragrance can be enjoyed.
Camellias (Camellia sp.) an old fashioned favorite that never goes out of style. The sasanqua varieties are the more disease resistant and show off their explosion of bloom in the winter.  From double petals to open favorites in the area include “Apple Blossom”, Setsugekka” and the brilliant red of “Yuletide”. Good choice of evergreen for areas in the yard with partial shade.

For the leftovers, leave fading flower and seed heads on selected shrubs and perennials for winter effects. Mophead hydrangeas, Large Alliums and ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus varieties will add interesting shapes and texture when their flower and seed heads are left behind.
Now is the time to take a walk through the garden and find places that need a winter pick-me-up. Plan your landscape now for a year-round show.

Sue Goetz CPH, is a horticultural consultant and designer, lecturer and freelance writer from Gig Harbor. Her work can be viewed at www.thecreativegardener.com

Contributed by Breanne Jones,
Communications Director
Washington State Nursery and Landscaping Association