Plants That Peak in Winter in the Southwest

Richie Steffen , executive conductor of the Elisabeth C. Miller Garden in Seattle and a precede expert on plants , discusses the often - undervalued solicitation of winter garden :

“ What many see as a dark and inhospitable time of year of sluggish dormancy , however , I view as a chillier prolongation of my horticulture season . There are many dependable plants that will tolerate , even looktheir ripe , during the frozen days of winter . While winter garden may run short of peak , especially in cold climates , there is a wonderful selection of evergreen leaf , interesting bark , and richly colored twigs that can make anyone ’s wintertime brighter . ”

To give wintertime even more of the love it deserves , we asked some regional experts to pick their favorite plant that peak in winter . Find fantastic plant life for winter pursuit in the Southwest below , and discover even more works that peak in winter in Richie ’s article , Winter Interest From the Ground Up .

1. Toumey’s agave

Name: Agave toumeyanasubsp.bella

Zones:5–9

Size:4 to 6 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide

Conditions : Full sun ; well - drained soil

Native mountain chain : Central Arizona

This is a fascinatingly beautiful midget agave that rise in a matlike cluster of small rosette . The leaves are strip with prominent ashen edges . aboriginal to a few small areas around Payson , Arizona , this cold - brave race has proven itself to be an excellent choice for little gardens and containers . In wintertime when the plant is covered with some C , its sculptured characteristic really stand up out , giving you a whole new perspective on its beautiful shape and form . Toumey ’s agave prefers sandy , rocky , or loam soil and grows well at all top .

2. Western soapberry

Name: Sapindus drummondii

Zones:6–9

Size:20 to 50 fundament tall and 20 to 30 foot wide

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; moist to well - drained soil

Native reach : American Southwest and Mexico

westerly soapberry has large compound parting with excellent yellow to golden fall color . Large grapelike bunch of translucent fruits vary in color from gold to dark-skinned brown and hang on the tree into wintertime . Transplant it as a untested Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , because its long taproots begrudge being grown in a pot for very long . This flora is very drought broad and long live once established . Because Western soapberry tree tolerates most stain type , let in clay , and also grows well at both down in the mouth and high lift , it’san splendid nuance tree diagram to grow in challenging situations . Just ensure to keep dogs and kids by from the Chuck Berry , which are toxic .

3. ‘Mary Potter’ crabapple

Name: Malus‘Mary Potter’

Zones:4–9

Size:8 to 15 feet marvellous and 10 to 20 feet wide

weather : Full sunlight to fond subtlety ; well - drain soil

aboriginal mountain chain : Hybrid

modernistic ornamental crabapples are some of the best blossoming tree . ‘ Mary Potter ’ is a top - rated weeping cultivar that scent the melodic line in late spring with its large , nectar - copious white efflorescence . This puddle it a honeybee favorite . The efflorescence are followed by small red fruits that hang on the tree through winter . But its crying ramification really stand out in the wintertime month when snow covers them , highlighting their graceful form . Plant ‘ Mary Potter ’ where it has room to go around , rather where you could view it through a window and revel its four season of ornamental interestingness . It tolerates most soil types , including Lucius Clay , and should have afternoon specter in abject elevation .

4. Winter jasmine

Name: Jasminum nudiflorum

Zones:6–10

Size:8 to 15 feet grandiloquent and 5 to 10 feet wide-cut

Conditions : Full sun to partial shade ; medium to well - drained land

aboriginal range : northerly China

This shrub has wonderful cascading ontogeny and can weep over retaining walls , climb a fence with trellising , or act as a big land back on slopes . Deep yellow , nonfragrant flowers cover the industrial plant in late winter or early spring . The evergreen plant halt give it additional winter interest . While winter jasmine tolerates low , mid , and high elevations , it should have some afternoon specter and supplemental irrigation if acquire in a lower superlative . It tolerates most soil type , but not heavy cadaver . Otherwise , winter jasmine is a toughened , drouth - tolerant bush that needs infrequent summer irrigation .

David Salmanis the founder of High Country Gardens in Santa Fe , New Mexico .

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Winter Jasmine

Photo: David Salman

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Toumey’s agave

Photo: David Salman

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