There is always an opportunity to create a vignette in the garden, including a lovely winter vignette!
While the winter flowering plant list is slim compared to other seasons, there are lovely ways to enjoy a hint of color during the shortest, coldest, possibly wettest days. In this short post enjoy a few plants woven together to create a simple floor plane tapestry.
Here we go, enjoy!
Winter interest: Color includes red flowering Cyclamen with patterned leaves, red and green Heuchera and golden Acorus grass. (January 29, 2020)
About Cyclamen
Cyclamen are perennial plants in the primrose family with round to heart shaped leaves that include lovely white or silver patterns above; leaf surface below typically contains a tinge of red or purple. In the California Mediterranean climate cyclamen are often treated and planted as annuals for Christmas and holiday color.
More details…
– Flower colors include: Pink, magenta, white, red, lavender and rose.
– Some species are wonderfully FRAGRANT!
– Exposure: Full sun, light shade near coast, OK. Otherwise light shade elsewhere.
– Water: During the winter growing/flowering season moisture and well drained soil is essential.
– Hardiness varies.
– Note: Cyclamen go dormant during the summer and prefer to be on the dry side.
Cyclamen, Heuchera, Ceanothus ‘Diamond Heights’ and bulbs. Heuchera ‘Amber Waves’ (see amber colored foliage) and red Heuchera in the mix. (Jan 29, 2020)
About Heuchera
Heucheras make excellent ground covers and foliage plants with a wide variety of leaf color and shape. During winter, enjoy Heuchera’s foliage in various color textures. But don’t stop there! Lean into spring with a lovely flower show. With so many hybrids available, you’ll find lots of variance and choice.
Flowers: tiny upright clusters with tiny bell shaped blossoms.
Flower colors include: white, deep red, and pink.
Fragrant Daphne in the Winter Garden!
Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ – Winter Daphne (left). This variegated shrub is very beautiful and blooms winter to early spring in the SF Bay Area. Daphne flowers are very fragrant! Sometimes a nice fragrant waft comes your way; other times, bend and delight in a heavenly sniff. Makes a nice cut flower. (Jan 29, 2020)
About Helleborus orientalis
Lenten Rose. This Helleborus variety is a clump-forming, late winter-blooming perennial which typically grows 1-1.5′ tall with flowers 2-3″ across. Flowers – cream to pale green and often tinged with pink and speckled on some segments. Atrorubens (as seen below), is distinguished by deep maroon blossoms.
Helleborus orientalis atrorubens. (Jan 29, 2020)
Helleborus orientalis. (Nov. 3, 2018)
Helleborus orientalis. (Nov 3, 2018)
Conclusion:
Today we looked at 3-5 plants with low profiles providing charm, color and interest in the winter garden. You can of course apply this to a tiny area or larger area. I love creating small-scale vignettes using plants and natural elements. This goes hand and hand with small garden spaces, but, can easily applied to larger areas as well! Heuchera, Cyclamen and Helleborus are excellent plants to know – leaving you the reigns to create your own tapestry in the garden!!
Happy Gardening!
Nicole
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