This Season's Colours
Gardens never look their best in Autumn and can look terrible
in Winter due to the lower levels of light and heat. Don't
give up as there are plants that can provide some colour even
in the dead of Winter but the range is limited and so is the
amount of colour possible.
I have already discussed Bulbs and Autumn/Winter bedding
plants and these are still your best bet for colour over the
coming months.
Here are a few suggestions for shrubs and trees that will
either flower, fruit or produce colourful foliage in the coming
months:
- Rowans are always good value for Autumn colour. There
are the usual red berry varieties but there are yellow,
orange and white berried varieties too.
- Pernettya provide berries with really unusual colours
- from purple to pearly pink and white berries - not just
your usual red.
- Crab apple trees that produce such lovely flowers in the
spring are now producing colourful apples.
- The bark of Cornus "Alba" will turn red in the Winter.
- There is a whole range of Heathers that will flower over
the coming months.
- Mahonia produces yellow flowers from about Christmas to
February.
- Winter Jasmine produces yellow flowers from about November
to February.
- The foliage of many trees (but especially Acers) will
be changing into their bright Autumn shades about now.
- Virginia Creeper's foliage is changing just now from green
to brilliant red.
- Variegated Ivies are evergreen and trailing. They make
lovely hanging baskets when planted up with some Winter
Pansies.
- May be hard to find, but Prunus Subhirtella "Autumnalis"
will flower from about November to January.
- Hebe "Autumn Glory" produces masses of purple flowers
at this time of year.
- Potentilla, Hydrangea and Hypericum will still have some
colour left.
- Viburnum can flower from November to April depending on
the variety.
On a dull Winter's day finding some colour in the garden
can be a real tonic.
Article provided by Ron from West Carlston Garden Centre
in Torrance.
www.westcarlston.com
This week's Competition: Name a variety of Mahonia
The sender of the first correct e-mail will receive a £10
Gift Voucher.
Ron can be contacted at info@westcarlston.com
Copywrite R. McInally