The Japanese Anemone is a late-summer blooming perennial. In the winter, however, the seed heads unfold into white cotton ball-like puffs. This herbaceous plant grows 2’ tall but the flower stalks come another 2’ above the bulk of the plant creating a unique look. Some varieties self-sow freely so be prepared for the possibility of volunteer plants.
Garden border favorites, all Coneflowers (Rudbeckia spp. and Echinacea spp.) have beautiful dried seed heads in the winter. The summer and autumn flowers dry and darken to contrast nicely with the winter snow. They also serve as snow catchers creating multi-dimensional interest in a garden snowscape.
Many ornamental grasses also produce interesting seedheads in the late autumn that can be left standing through the winter months to create beautiful focal points in the garden. Instead of pruning them short in the fall, wait until the spring just before new growth begins and enjoy the dried stalks gleaming in the winter sun.
With so many plants to choose from I know adding interest to your garden in the winter with seeds and seedheads will be easy to do! See all six ways of using plants to add winter interest to the garden.
This excerpt first appeared in Seeds and Seedpods for Winter on Suite101.com.
This excerpt is part of the ebook Using Plants to Create Winter Interest, over 30 pages detailing the 6 ways to hold interest in your garden landscape during the dormant season. The book is $3.99 and available by clicking the photo or link.
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