The garden chore list is minimal at this time of year though many gardeners are deep into the planning phase for the upcoming growing season. Now is the perfect time to evaluate your landscape for winter interest and identify areas for improvement. Looking for dull areas now will help you determine the shape and size of plants needed to fill the space. Here are a few ideas to get your started.
Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) is a native tree/shrub that provides year-round interest. Even after the leaves drop the form of the branches is appealing.
Blue rug juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’) is a low-growing evergreen that is silvery-blue in color. It offers dense coverage and is resistant to deer. As long as the soil isn’t constantly saturated, this is a great option for bringing low maintenance, year-round interest to the landscape.
The Coral Bark Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’) is a 20-25-foot-tall tree with beautiful foliage that gives way to coral-colored bark in the winter. It makes a lovely focal point with its attractive leaves, fruit and branches.
These plants along with many others are detailed in the Kansas Roots resource online: www.ksroots.org.
