Liven up your winter landscape with low-growing plants that stick around after flowers fade
Fallandwinterare the best times of class to see what our garden seem like outside of acme time of year and make our wish lists for spring planting . While evergreen trees and shrubs are cornerstone of wintertime structure , evergreen perennialscan add even more texture and personality to the spaces in between . Here are my top contenders for evergreen perennial for the Southeast :
Learn more : Underused Perennials for the Southeast
Strawberry geranium
Saxifragastolonifera , Zones 6–9
Strawberry geranium is a no- to low-pitched - maintenance perennial that manages to bet great even in winter . It is drouth and humidness kind and grows in a miscellany of soils , traits that all spell achiever for the Southeast . This species has silver medal - veined , green leaves with the texture of felted wool , and unusual , pink bottom . Cultivars force the color possibleness even more . As you may envisage from the botanical name , strawberry geranium spread by stolon into a lush ground cover , although plants can reach about 18 inch marvelous when in bloom . For good issue , implant this evergreen plant in well - draining filth and ply it with either afternoon or full tincture .
‘Onyx and Pearls’ penstemon
Penstemon‘Onyx and Pearls ’ , Zones 3–8
Certain penstemon assortment can offer sheer colour with purple- and cerise - flushed foliage that stays evergreen in our balmy southeasterly wintertime . I ’ve been felicitous with ‘ Onyx and Pearls ’ genus Penstemon in my flower beds . Its black foliage contrasts with white flowers , and it appeals to pollinators , namely bee . My only complaint is that while my plants are normally steadfastly upright , they have fall through before in storm when loaded with heavy flower stalks . I am excited to try ‘ Blackbeard ’ penstemon ( Penstemon‘Blackbeard ’ , Zones 3–8 ) next . After witness its execution in a run garden , I can demonstrate that it ’s another beautiful , super moody multifariousness , and good of all , it does not founder .
Heuchera varieties
Heucheraspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8
While I see some site recommending full sun to abstemious tone for heucheras , make no fault that they will require protection from our hot summer sun here in the Southeast . Morning sun and good afternoon spook are optimal when plant them in the earth . A fun elbow room to work around this is to implant mixed containers of heucheras , which will be comfy in full Dominicus throughout the spring or fall . When the weather heats up , they can be moved to a shady location or implant out . There are many sort with ride colors , but before you get swept up in a rainbow of euphoria , have a look at the botanical names . When potential , Southeast gardeners will want to seek out diversity with hairy alumroot ( Heucheravillosa , Zones 3–9 ) or American alumroot ( genus Heuchera americana , Zones 4–9 ) line of descent for their permissiveness of warmth and humidness . In my experience , the colorful smorgasbord tend to be more short - lived , but part them at maturity can help prolong their presence in your garden . If deer are a care , examine heucherellas ( ×Heucherellacvs . , Zones 3–9 ) , a mark between heucheras and genus Tiarella ( Tiarellaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–8 ) .
Hellebore varieties
Helleborusspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9
When I first begin planting hellebore years ago , I was sure that their mantrap and elegance would require an equal amount of fussing and upkeep to maintain . I could n’t have been more wrong . rather of a headache , I come up a true , low-toned - maintenance perennial to pack my spectre bed through the most ambitious time of year . The one downside is that most hellebores have unsure , downturned , or side - face flowers that can be difficult to take account from above . Planting hellebores in containers is a great manner to shine a spot on them . Just be certain to choose a all-inclusive - mouthed container that do it light to transplant them afterward . Current favorite varieties of mine are ‘ New York Night ’ hellebore ( Helleborus‘New York Night ’ , Zones 4–9 ) from the Honeymoon ® serial publication and ‘ Snowbells ’ hellebore ( Helleborus niger‘Snowbells ’ , Zones 4–9 ) from the Wedding Party ® serial , but there are many other sensational variety show out there .
Spineless prickly pear
Opuntiacacanapa‘Ellisiana ’ , Zones 7–10
This is another favorite I ’ve seen grown in trial gardens and a no - brainer for the Southeast . Growing in Zones 7 to 10 , and perhaps into Zone 6 , namby-pamby burred Pyrus communis can handle our red-hot summers and stick around to provide interesting wintertime architecture . The silhouette is typical of a prickly pear , but without the long stiletto heel that can discourage many of us ( although the nubby glochidium can still make skin irritation if handled ) . Its shining sulphur - icteric flower in later spring give mode to beautiful , burgundy ( nonedible ) fruit in dip . The caveat is that this cactus must be grow in perfectly draining soil ; poor wintertime drainage is the surest way to kill this perennial . Plant it in a sunny , sandy smudge , and both you and your prickly pear will be happy for many years to come .
Cheyenne Wine is a writer and nurseryman with experience in the plant baby’s room industriousness . She presently helps promote preservation endeavor through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation .
picture : Cheyenne Wine
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Perennials like ‘Onyx and Pearls’ penstemon can provide showy blooms during the growing season and interesting foliage the rest of the year.
This perennial’s cheery pink-and-green fuzzy foliage will brighten up an understory.
Perennials like ‘Onyx and Pearls’ penstemon can provide showy blooms during the growing season and interesting foliage the rest of the year.
Heuchera cultivars come in an array of exciting colors, but pay attention to their parentage.
‘New York Night’ hellebore (left) and ‘Snowbells’ hellebore (right) are two modern varieties with stunning, pure black-and-white flowers, respectively.
Spineless prickly pear’s large, wine-red fruits continue to provide interest after the showy flowers have faded.
