Winter Color

Thanksgiving Point Office LARRY A. SAGERS In The Garden 3003 North Thanksgiving Way HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST Lehi, Utah 84043-3740 UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY (801) 768-2300 EXTENSION

Paper birch ( Betula papyrifera ) peels off in white Describe the winter landscape and most people strips, and Yellow birch ( Betula aleghaniensis ) think of grays, browns and other bland colors. It yields shiny gold bark. Also consider 'Heritage' seems ironic that the once brilliant colors of just a with salmon color bark. European white birch few weeks ago have faded into oblivion. Given a (Betula pendula ) has a striking white bark little imagination, it does not have to be this way. although the trees are short lived in our area.

Winter color and landscape interest come from Another underutilized tree for textured bark is many different plants. It also come from many the true Chinese or Lacebark Elm ( Ulmus different parts of the plants including fruits, buds parvifolia ). The trunk shows a mottled bark of and bark on deciduous trees and leaves, needles gray, green, orange, and brown. and other structures on evergreens. Two maples also show outstanding bark texture. Bark is certainly one of the most durable of the Paperbark maple ( Acer griseum ) has a lovely winter colors. Many plants with striking bark exfoliating bark that has a rich reddish color that become even more vivid after the leaves fall. complements the interesting texture. Once leaves are no longer there to obstruct the view, they are excellent landscape assets. Coral Bark Japanese maple ( Acer palmatum 'Sango-kaku') has a rich orange colored bark that At the top of the list is an excellent native plant. is striking as the leaves fall from the tree at this The very hardy Red Twig dogwood ( Cornus time of year. sericea ) has bark that turns fiery red to burgundy in the winter. It grows to 6'-10' tall and 5'-10' wide Many gardeners think of crabapples (Malus ) as but dwarf varieties are available. showy spring plants. While most plant them for their flowers, do not overlook their fall beauty. Another dogwood variety is Yellow Twig Many varieties produces possess attractive fruit. Cornus sericea Dogwood ( 'Flaviramea'). This To avoid messy fruit that covers the ground, plant features long branches with striking bright always select those with persistent fruit that stays yellow or chartreuse colors. As an added bonus, on the tree until the birds eat them during the these native plants can withstand grazing by winter. wandering deer. Crabapple varieties with striking gold fruit Another rich red bark comes from the red birches. include 'Bob White' with yellow-orange that Eastern river birch (Betula nigra) and the western turns gold in winter. This is the best of the water birch (Betula occidentalis ) are both covered available yellow-fruited cultivars. 'Winter Gold' with rich burgundy bark with interesting patterns. and 'Harvest Gold' also have striking yellow fruit Many of the birch trees have an additional feature that shows off in the winter landscape. as they shed their bark in strips on the trunks.

'Blue Prince,' 'Blue Princess,' 'China Boy,' and 'China Girl' are hardy to -10 to -20 degrees If you prefer the red or orange fruit varieties, (USDA Hardiness Zone 5). consider these. 'David' has scarlet fruit but it usually bears every other year. 'Donald Wyman' All of these hollies are susceptible to winter shows a very attractive red winter fruit display desiccation injury. Bright sun and dry, cold winds with attractive exfoliating bark. will quickly dry out the leaves and cause them to drop. Plant them all in protected areas, such as 'Indian Magic' has showy red orange fruit with an the east or north side of a house or fence. excellent display. Other showy red fruited varieties include 'Sugar Tyme,' 'Red Jewel,' 'White Hollies are dioecious plants so the male and Angel,' and 'Jewelberry.' female flowers are on different plants. That means you need at least two to get berries. Only Another group of small, flowering trees that the female plants have the berries you will likely possess attractive fruit is the hawthorns. These want to have more of these than the males. produce white or pink flowers in spring. In fall, If you are in downtown Salt Lake City, check out their fruit turns orange or red and persists well the chokeberry plants (Aronia arbutifolia ) around into winter. the LDS Conference Center This is an There are three hawthorns with excellent fruit uncommon plant in our area, but the an upright, displays. The Washington hawthorn ( Crataegus spreading shrub has excellent red berries in fall. phaenopyrum ) and Winter King hawthorn The name comes from the astringent taste of the (Crataegus viridis 'Winter King' ) have many fruit. smaller berries while Lavelle hawthorn The brightly colored fruit of many of the (Crataegus lavellii ) has fewer but larger berries. aforementioned trees and shrubs do not remain Several shrubs also show excellent winter color. throughout the winter. Extreme winter cold The American cranberry bush viburnum causes the fruit to turn brown or black. (Viburnum trilobum ) is an excellent large shrub. It Hungry birds and squirrels dine on the fruit. The grows 8 to 12 feet tall and is excellent for screens spectacular late fall and early winter are certainly and hedges. These shrubs produce white, flat- worth including these plants in your landscape. topped clusters of flowers in spring that then turn a bright red in fall. Ornamental grasses are outstanding winter plants. These have tall thin stems and fluffy tops While the pyracantha or firethorn shrub is not on that stay attractive through much of the winter. everyone’s favorite list because of the thorns, you Use Miscanthus, Panicum or Calamagrostis cannot argue that the brilliant orange berries are grasses or plant the plume grass ( Erianthus stellar showstoppers for the winter landscape. To ravennae ) grows to 8 -11' tall. avoid huge overgrown plants, look for some of the newer, more dwarf forms. Many roses display beautiful hips in winter. Shrub roses like 'Bonica', 'Carefree Beauty' and Do not overlook holly plants. Several hybrid 'Golden Wings' and Rugosa roses like 'Fru broadleaf evergreen hollies, collectively known as Dagmar Hastrup' , 'Jens Munk', and 'Rubra' offer the Meserve hybrid hollies ( Ilex x meserveae ) can a colorful fruit show. grow here if your soil is not too alkaline.

Utah State University, Utah Counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating The Utah Cooperative Extension Service, an equal opportunity employer, provides programs and services to all persons regardless of race, age, sex, color, religion, national origin or disability. 5/94

Utah State University, Utah Counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating The Utah Cooperative Extension Service, an equal opportunity employer, provides programs and services to all persons regardless of race, age, sex, color, religion, national origin or disability.