In the Garden 2-7-10

By LeeAnn Barton Stillwater NewsPress

STILLWATER, Okla. — I am going to write about plants and planting as if this were a normal year, though I feel this year is more typical of Oklahoma winters 30 or 40 years past. There are a number of shrubs that bloom in winter or late winter, and in years without snow, they would be blooming now.

The first I think of is evergreen, often for sale in local nurseries. Pieris japonica, aka Lily of the Valley shrub, is slow-growing and needs partial shade. The leaves begin bright red to rusty orange (depending on the variety) and mature to a deep, semi-gloss green.

Like most winter or early spring bloomers, flower buds set in the fall. Pieris forms dozens of buds on each stem that arises from the tips of the branches. Their deep rose color alone is ornamental even before the buds open to small white (or pink) bells that resemble lily of the valleys in all ways but fragrance.

Pieris needs moist but not soggy soil. Provide it morning sun or dappled light. Height is gained as growing tips form from the spent flower terminals; therefore, pruning is unnecessary in all but very old specimens. Apply an acidic fertilizer in late summer.

Another winter blooming evergreen is Mahonia. Different species have different nicknames; the two that I have seen locally available are M. aquifolium (Oregon grape) and M. bealei (Leatherleaf Mahonia).

Like Pieris, Mahonia flowers arise from tips of the branches, but that is where the similarity ends. These evergreens grow less like a bush and more like Nandina, forming new shoots from underground runners. The foliage resembles holly leaves — coarsely scalloped and quite prickly. Fragrant, yellow flowers appear in a panicle followed by dark-blue berries.

Leatherleaf Mahonia makes twice the impact of Oregon grape. It grows to 10 feet with multiple upright stems and horizontal leaves up to 1-foot long. Each leaf consists of numerous 5-inch leaflets. Leatherleaf creates a tropical, somewhat prehistoric look. Plant it against a backdrop for increased impact.

Oregon grape is a west coast native from northern California to British Columbia. Though it can reach 6-foot in height, 3-4 feet is more realistic. The foliage grows 8-10 inches, but the dull, green leaflets are only 1-1/2 inches long.

It is suggested for foundation plantings, to which I moan, “Ugly!” Use it instead as a low garden barrier. Provide it some relief from hot summer sun and water it regularly.

Next week, more suggestions for winter-blooming shrubs.

LeeAnn Barton can be e-mailed at leeannbarton@sbcglobal.net.

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