A Winter Garden – Kathy Leishman

The garden was planned for winter and early spring interest. It seemed logical as there is an overstory of firs, and the slope receives the slanting rays of the winter sun. Needless to say, it’s very shady in the summer.

Three Hamamelis, a Pieris, a Camellia Donation, and some chunky Boxwood were initially planted. Corylopsis spicata and C. pauciflora were added, Rhododendron augustinii (not really for winter, but has good structure), and then a good number of snowdrops imported from Britain, and Helleborus from the Heronswood Nursery in Washington. Cyclamen hederifolium and C. coum were purchased at plant sales….they are the perfect plant for winter joy, and self-sow in odd corners. (Deer proof).

Ferns and small grasses like Millium e. Aureum adds a textural change. Iris foetidissima has good architectural leaves and is bomb proof for dryish shade. It has a strong presence in the early winter with orange seed capsules, which are good for picking.

I haven’t had too much luck with Trilliums or Erythroniums as the soil is a little too dry in the summer. The one Erythronium which has spread is E. americanum. It has fine, mottled leaves. And there is Trillium erectum, which has crimson flowers; this I brought from my first garden in Ontario, where it is native. There are various Anemones and a Sanguinaria, all pretty in late winter, then hibernating in the summer.

Basically, this small woodsy garden has added much pleasure to the winter months….there is a promise of new growth, and the thrill of finding the first flower of the season.