gardening
Plants for all
Story by Pat Rubin
These options offer new views as the year unfolds
When the long iris border at Gertrude Jekyl l ’s Munstead Wood garden in England wasn’t in bloom, Jekyll didn’t walk past it. Her garden covered 15 acres, so she had plenty of opportunity to avoid any sections that weren’t at their peak. Jekyll (1843-1932) was a horticulturist, artist, photographer and writer. She’s often called the queen of the herbaceous border, and her color combinations are still studied today. Today’s smaller gardens need plants that provide interest year-round. These plants are attractive all seasons of the year, and are sure to fit almost any garden. Oakleaf hydrangea ( Hydrangea quercifolia ): This deciduous shrub boasts bright green, deeply lobed leaves that turn shades of red and purple in autumn. In spring, it produces elongated clusters of white, slightly scented f lowers that turn light pink before fading to a straw color and finally to a nutty brown. Once the leaves fall away, you have the cinnamon-colored, peeling bark. Winged euonymus ( Euonymus alatus ): Everyone notices this plant. The corky wings on the stems are unusual and striking. But that’s just the beginning. The plant is also called “burning bush” because in autumn the leaves turn a fiery red. After the leaves fall, not only are the winged stems plainly visible, but there are tiny red berries dangling from the branches. Come
spring, the branches sport small yellow f lowers before the bright green leaves appear. This plant never has an offseason. The variety E. a.‘compacta’ grows slowly to about 6 feet tall. Crape myrtle ( Lagerstroemia sp .): Most people notice crape myrtles in summer, when the plant explodes into bloom. There are f lower colors to suit everyone, from white to watermelon red to light pink to purple. Plants can grow as multibranched shrubs or as a single-trunk tree. But for me, it’s winter when they shine. As the plants mature, the juvenile bark peels away to reveal a smooth, marble-like bark. The bark gets better every year. I love crape myrtles as much in winter as I do in July. Coral bark maple ( Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ ): This one has the typical gorgeous spring and fall leaves, and handles our heat quite well, but it’s most famous for its coral-colored bark. The color of the bark is more intense in winter than in summer. It prefers afternoon shade, but adapts to plenty of sun, as long as it gets regular watering. It grows to about 15 feet tall and wide. Like most Japanese maples, the spring and fall foliage colors are especially beautiful.
Pat Rubin cbmagazine@californiabountiful.com
MORE ONLINE A new year brings a new online feature! In “Scents of the Season,” California Bountiful gardening expert Pat Rubin tells what plants give off a beautiful aroma in your garden. She also provides a to-do list for when to start your tomato seedlings and how to protect plants from the cold. All at californiabountiful.com.
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January/February 2021
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