Rusty_Hinge wrote:
The message
from Emery Davis contains these words:

Well, it's been a long and miserable winter in the garden. Even
the grass has lost its green.

I wandered around last week admiring the overlap of the late
winter and early spring: crocuses, snowdrops still full,
witch-hazel going strong.

My basic conclusion is that winter can't be over soon enough.

Still, I'm worried about next year, and so I'd like to brighten
it up a bit.

What's your favourite plant/shrub/tree for winter interest?

Christmas rose, winter viburnum, aconites, and I have little irises and
anemones in bloom - but this is due to buying the bulbs at knock-down
prices well after their planting time.


well yes, I do have some Hellebores going now, the problem is that they
were really late this year. No where near Christmas! Also winter
viburnum, I've got one that has a very sweet scent and blooms
occasionally during the winter thaws. Can't remember what it's called.

Viburnum tinus is a nice shrub for winter, I could probably find a place
for one.

I enjoy the usual Cornus alba cultivars, various red or snakebark
maples, twisted hazel, some willows. But it's not enough, what more can
I plant to brighten up the dim winter days?

Horsetail, couch grass, ground elder, convolvulus, oh, the list is
endless - hours of honest fun digging them up again. Unfortunately, I
can't recommend Japanese knotweed, as propagating it is illegal.


LOL, thanks so much. Don't have horsetail, I'd better get some in.

Bindweed is nice because of the big fat roots, but too breakable when
the soil is heavy. I prefer digging it in dryer weather.

Don't forget creeping buttercup; we have acid soil. Not to mention
nettle and bramble! (Nettle is good fun to dig, very satisfying.)

-E