Winter colors bloom
in Victoria
Even with warm weather,
petunias, yarrow and Dianthas can give the feeling of
the cold season
October 28, 2004
Jean Wofford,
Master Gardener Intern
Winter color in
However, growing conditions in our area make it possible and very enjoyable as
we can get out and work in the garden in the winter without getting so hot.
Imagine having beautiful winter color when other landscapes elsewhere are
drab and dreary. Our winters do not have to be that way!
It is time to start planning what you want to plant for your winter color.
There are so many things from which to choose. Do you want color in your
landscape, cut flowers, edibles - or all three? Maybe this will get your
imagination off and running. Visit your favorite nursery and see what there is to
offer.
I spoke to Laurie Garretson from Earthworks Nursery here in
The weather doesn't always go by the calendar, as we know. She said if you
plant for your winter color too early, you are not going to have the desired
success with your plantings. How well we know how quickly things can change in
I also spoke with one of the
As we know, deer seem to like many of the same plants we do. I am sure they
are like dessert to them. However, according to Horticulturist Calvin Finch
(who also has various other credentials), snap dragons, stock and some of the
new petunia varieties, such as the Texas Superstar Laura Bush petunia, have
foliage that is unpleasant enough to deer that they leave them alone in most
situations. This is good to know for continuously blooming color in areas where
deer might visit our gardens.
There are some really suitable plants for winter color. Sweet alyssum is a
good bordering plant. It has a nice fragrance and is cool-weather hardy.
Snapdragons, one of my favorites, come in dwarf as well as tall varieties. They
make wonderful, long lasting cut flowers, and they have a very nice fragrance,
too. Dianthas also work well as bordering plants.
They come in a variety of jewel colors, making a nice color addition to your
garden. Someone told me there is a fragrant variety, but I personally have not
seen it.
All of these will tolerate very cold weather. I have had all these plants
make it through freezes and keep blooming. Stock is also a great winter color
plant. It is nicely fragrant and makes for great cut flowers.
Some of the other jewels for winter color may not be as easy to find, but
are well worth the effort. I grow them from seed, but they need to be in the
ground by the middle of November. Sweetpeas are one
of my all-time favorites. They are wonderful, old-fashioned flowers. Their
fragrance is like no other bloom.
Another winner is the old fashioned nasturtium. I hope you will look for
this one. This is one of the tiny jewels of our garden, and may also be used in
salads for a little "bite" of delightful color.
Of course, we all know about pansies. I just love their sweet little faces.
I think they are probably one of the most planted flowers in the winter garden.
There is a variety, too, that is fragrant, and they make lovely short cut
flower arrangements. They are definitely cool weather plants, so don't plant
too early. Save your time and money.
Petunias are perfect in the landscape. They come in such wonderful colors,
and I think they are best in mass plantings. Marigolds are also good for winter
color. They can be used for cutting as well, but I don't use them for that
because of their sharp and unpleasant odor. They are lovely in the landscape.
Calendulas, also good for cutting, are another prime choice, as are
begonias, but for some reason I have never had success with them. So, I just
admire them in other yards and gardens.
For the very special plants, I have to include cyclamen. They cost quite a
bit more but are really worth it. I always put some in pots and every now and
then, put some into the ground. They last and bloom all winter. They really
don't like the heat, so they always die down - and I haven't been successful in
bringing them back the next year although I have had a couple summer over if I put them into deep shade. They come in
various red, white and pink tones and are perfect small accent plants.
One of the others that I consider special is the primrose. I just love the
little jewel blossoms of this plant. Their colors are true jewel colors, and
they have the most perfect little bloom with a white throat. They are only
about eight inches tall and work well planted in a shallow pot. I like to make
a mini mass planting of these in a shallow pot to enjoy until the weather gets
too warm for them.
For winter color there are many edibles that are just beautiful. I like to
edge with curly leaf parsley, then plant some different
lettuce. When I can get the package of mixed lettuce seeds, I like to plant
these. You can also buy different kinds of lettuce in small pots at your
favorite nursery. Lettuce comes in many different colors, and you can also
plant ornamental cabbage, kale, - and don't forget bright lights Swiss chard.
Some of these plants are almost too pretty to eat!
When I prepare my beds for planting winter color, I always add some slow
release fertilizer. I mix this in well, then add my
plants. You should watch closely and water frequently. After a week or so, you
should be OK. You also need to keep a sharp eye out for snails and slugs. Even
though the weather is cooler, they never give up.
For edibles, I use a beer trap made from a small can, sink it into the ground
until it is at ground level, fill it with beer and
leave. In the mornings, I just empty the beer with the drowned slugs and
snails, and fill the can again. For blooming plants, I use a commercial snail
and slug bait.
Oh - and what do I do with the beer that has the snails and slugs? I bury
it. I think it must be good for something, perhaps more nutrition for the soil?
One way or the other, winter color does not have to be drab and dreary in