sp;
Springs is here, but before you forget last winters depressingly bare corners of the garden, consider making a list of possible evergreen plant groupings that would add interest and color to the landscape next winter, and keep them in mind as you scout the nurseries this year.
For a shaded area a clump of Bamboo adds elegance and movement, along with height, if you need a screen. Make sure it is one of the Fargesia group, all of which stay in a well behaved clump that enlarges slowly while growing to about 10 feet in height
A group of the yellow variegated holly, Ilex x meserveae ‘Honey Maid’, provides year round interest, but is particularly striking in the winter, especially against a dark background. It will grow to 10 to 12 feet in time, but think of the holiday “greens” you can harvest! If you want berries you would need to add a x meserveae male such as’ China Boy’. Hollies are good for sun or shade.
Leucothoes are smaller but also include variegated forms such as ‘Rainbow’ or ‘Silver Run’ which add a splash of color, and forms that turn a good burgundy winter color. ‘Scarletta or ‘ Roger’s Burgundy’ are two names to look for. They need shade and prefer to be protected from the wind.
Pieris japonica is a handsome evergreen, that along with its many cultivars, blooms very early in the Spring. The buds form the previous summer, and are attractive throughout the winter. In fact if you are hard hearted enough to cut some, they make great additions to indoor decorations. The cultivars are usually smaller than the species and a few have dark winter foliage. ’Dorothy Wyckoff’ has wine red winter foliage and pink flowers. The native species Pieris floribunda is smaller, also very hardy and not as prone to spider mites as Japonica. They all thrive best in shade.
Euonymus fortunei cultivars have all been much overused, but they are very easy to grow and hardy in most situations, add great color and can be kept pruned to any desired shape or size.