Plants actually matter in winter?
Plants ABSOLUTELY matter in winter. Imagine not having evergreen trees and shrubs when everything else, whether deciduous, perennials or annuals, dies and goes away until spring. Talk about a boring landscape, not just on your property, but also in the woods and forests, roadsides, etc. Why do you think Christmas trees are evergreens, and holly, boxwoods and the like are used? Because they are “in season” during the holidays and used to decorate. Imagine decorating a dogwood tree in your house or using some dead hostas to make a very ugly wreath. Nature is a wonderous thing and provides for us constantly.
Are there other reasons why plants in winter matter?
Plants in winter also matter for other reasons than just to adorn our properties or hoses when the cold, blustery, snowy days come in. Winter birds, migrating birds and animals in many ways, live off the winter plants as other food sources cease to exist until spring rolls around. The tiny fruit of trees and shrubs go a long way to feeding our creatures. The berries on barberries, hollies and Euonymus feed birds such as Robins when they return approaching spring. Callery Pear fruit also feeds the Robins, Mockingbirds etc. Plants such as varieties of Euonymus, Rhododendrons, Laurel etc., although not what we want in our yards, will feed deer. In my own yard, deer decimate my Ivy, but it grows back every spring, so I let them enjoy. And these are just a few examples. Also, beneficial insects utilize the safety screen of evergreens to overwinter before they get “reborn” and beautify and help our properties.
What are some of the best shrubs and trees for winter?
There are so many plants that are beneficial in nature, whether for the animals or aesthetically. As mentioned above, Barberries, Euonymus and Callery Pears, all deciduous, are great for animals, but in many states considered Noxious Weeds because they re-seed themselves readily. I say, let the animals enjoy. Evergreens such as Hollies of all varieties, Yews, Laurels, all needle evergreens and so many more are great for animals, but also bring beauty to our landscapes, and that’s extremely important. Even ornamental grass plants add winter interest and food with their seed heads.
Enjoy the winter season. Get out there and have fun observing all that nature has to provide, from the winter landscape, the plantings and the animals especially. Remember that as we get deeper into the season, the food starts to get scarce, so help the creatures out with some bird seed, corn etc. They thank you for it everyday when they grace your yards with their beauty.
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