In the hush of a snowfall or tranquility of a gray winter day, we can better see the form of a landscape…..
A month ago, in mid-December, we still had leaves on the trees and temperatures in the 50s. Then abruptly, those temperatures plunged to record setting bitterness and snow like we rarely even see in December. Now we’re in the midst of a sudden thaw that will bring us well into the 50s with lots of precipitation again for a few days.
It’s hard to know what to expect even next week, but hopefully when temperatures moderate and the precipitation pauses, we’ll be able to appreciate the vigor and refreshing clarity of these truly wintry days. On cold days, it may be tempting to stake out an armchair and pour over gardening magazines, but try to find time to venture outside because whatever the weather, you mustn’t miss out on the simple beauty of winter!
During the height of the growing season, the color, texture and movement of plants are thrilling, but likely to attract all of our attention. In the hush of a snowfall, or tranquility of a gray winter day however, we can better see the form of a landscape. This is the best time to view the bare bones of your yard, uncluttered by summer’s overlay of leaf and color.
Minus the leaves and the flowers, what do you see? Is there a good balance of exposed limb and evergreen fullness? Do you see variety in height and shape? Are there connecting elements between areas such as pathways, or the repetition of plants and materials used?
Have you framed an enticing view, added seating to a cozy corner, or limbed-up majestic trees? Have you minimized eyesores, created shelter and privacy in exposed areas and reshaped or replaced overgrown and inappropriate plants? Have you echoed nearby elements like the graceful form of a natural stream, the strong architectural lines of a house, the sheltered wooded feel of existing oak and mountain laurel, or the wild wind-swept mood of the coast?
And last, have you included trees and shrubs that are especially lovely in the winter? Eastern red cedar, Eastern white pine (good for the mainland but not for the coast), and Leyland cypress maintain a lush living evergreen presence during the winter. Blue atlas cedar and Colorado blue spruce add icy-blue contrast.
A ‘Heritage’ river birch’s white outer bark peels to reveal lovely salmon inner bark. London plane tree also has exfoliating bark with light olive to creamy yellow mottling. Crape myrtle, usually grown for its late-season flower, has a lovely multi-stemmed form with smooth gray bark that flakes away to reveal multi-colored underbark.
Many beautifully berried shrubs thrive in our region to color the winterscape as well as feed the birds and make great crafts. American and European cranberrybush have scarlet berries. Nandina ‘Heavenly Bamboo’ (not related to invasive bamboo) carries large, loose sprays of red berries and beautiful foliage all winter.
Red chokeberry will grow in any type of soil, looks good planted en masse, flames spectacularly in the fall, and produces jewel-like red berries that persist through the winter. Winterberry is a deciduous holly and a favorite native shrub – its sparkling red berries are a treat for the birds who stay with us for the winter. 
Every season has its gifts and while winter’s delights are subtle, they are no less breathtaking. Spring will be here soon enough, but for now we have icy tendrils traced on frosted glass, hoar-frost covered fields illumined by the rising sun, the faintest hint of rose above the distant tree line and cedars etched at nightfall, against the bluing-sky.