Winter

SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Winter

There’s always something happening here in the Garden. Whether it’s blooms, bugs, or birds, the action is always a joy to observe. Here are some of our seasonal favorites…

A Quiet Time

The Garden in winter is quiet, with the muted colors of dormant foliage and the soft rustling of switchgrass teasing the senses. Birds are everywhere, enjoying the dried seeds on the summer and fall flowering plants as well as the berries found all around.

You’ll love experiencing the calm and gentle mantle of winter.

Winterberry

Winterberry (Ilex verticillate) always provides a splash of bright color in a midwinter garden. The berries, often densely packed, are easy to spy as their visibility is enhanced by the winter loss of leaves.

Switchgrass

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a tall prairie grass which is known for providing soil conservation as well as serving as an ornamental plant. Its seeds can be pink or muted purple and provide food to birds during the cold winter months. The foliage should be left standing during the winter for its beauty and to provide cover and habitat for wildlife.

Red Twig Dogwood

Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) shines brightly in the Garden in January. Its red branches boldly stand out and serve to remind us of the beauty of our dogwoods in winter.

Wildlife

Northern Cardinals, Brown Thrashers, Carolina Wrens, and American Goldfinch are just a few of the birds that enjoy our Garden in winter. Listening to their chirps as they eat at the feeder or fly from bush to tree can bring a cheery grin to those who visit our Garden in the winter months.

River Birch

Without the leaves on the trees, the bark is exposed and can be quite interesting. The River Birch (Betula nigra) has flaky, papery bark. There is a large tree close to the Fairy Garden that should not be missed.

A Different Kind of Beauty

After a winter snow, the Garden can be seen in a very different way with snow as the backdrop that highlights foliage and Garden structures.

Snow Tracks

The snow itself with tracks from birds foraging and outlining the tree branches can be beautiful.

Paperbush

Paperbush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) is a deciduous shrub that blooms in mid-February when little else is blooming. Honeybees as well as native bees can be seen on the flowers on warm days. You will find this in the Fall and Winter Border.