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Gardening
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Houzz Contributor. Debra Prinzing is a Seattle- and Los Angeles-based outdoor living expert who writes and lectures on gardens and home design. She has a background in textiles, journalism, landscape design and horticulture. A frequent speaker for botanical garden, horticultural society and flower show audiences, Debra is also a regular radio and television guest. Her five books include Garden Writers Association Gold Award-winning Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways (Clarkson-Potter/Random House, 2008) and The Abundant Garden (2005). She is now at work on her new book about seasonal, local and sustainably-grown cut flowers with photographer David Perry. You can read more about it at www.afreshbouquet.com.
Debra is the new contributing garden editor for Better Homes & Gardens and her feature...
Houzz Contributor. Debra Prinzing is a Seattle- and Los Angeles-based outdoor... More »
While waiting for spring to arrive, I took a trip to the Joseph A. Witt Winter Garden in Seattle's Washington Park Arboretum.
Tucked away in a deep green wooded area of this urban arboretum, a "winter feast" for the senses offers striking bloom and bark colors, gorgeous textures and surprising fragrances. These are all the more worth admiring as there's little competition for our attention in the gray, cold winter months.
Credit for this garden's design belongs to Ian Roberson, a professor at the University of Washington's School of Landscape Architecture. He imagined a "woodland room" within the arboretum, one that truly celebrates the beauty of winter-interest plants and their architecture, color and form. Here are my favorite specimens. You'll want to find just the right place in your own landscape to enjoy one (or more).
Tucked away in a deep green wooded area of this urban arboretum, a "winter feast" for the senses offers striking bloom and bark colors, gorgeous textures and surprising fragrances. These are all the more worth admiring as there's little competition for our attention in the gray, cold winter months.
Credit for this garden's design belongs to Ian Roberson, a professor at the University of Washington's School of Landscape Architecture. He imagined a "woodland room" within the arboretum, one that truly celebrates the beauty of winter-interest plants and their architecture, color and form. Here are my favorite specimens. You'll want to find just the right place in your own landscape to enjoy one (or more).
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by Debra Prinzing
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| Midwinter fire twig dogwood (Cornus stolonifera 'Midwinter Fire') The colorful stems blaze orange and brighten up an otherwise dark border. |
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by Debra Prinzing
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by Debra Prinzing
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Coast Silktassel (Garrya elliptica)
Elegantly draped tassels appear in the winter, resembling crystal drops on a chandelier. Appreciate these long, silvery tassels up close.
Elegantly draped tassels appear in the winter, resembling crystal drops on a chandelier. Appreciate these long, silvery tassels up close.
by Debra Prinzing
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Chinese red birch (Betula albo-sinensis var. septentrionalis)
Admire the peeling, bright pinkish-white bark against the evergreen backdrop.
Admire the peeling, bright pinkish-white bark against the evergreen backdrop.
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by Debra Prinzing
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| Beautiful witch hazels (Hamamelis x intermedia 'Orange Beauty', right, Hamamelis x intermedia 'Pallida', left, light yellow) Two shades of yellow-gold witch hazels create a stunning visual corridor for a woodland path. Take a deep breath — you'll love their fragrance. |
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by Debra Prinzing
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| Hamamelis x intermedia 'Ruby Glow' When backlit, this witch hazel is a brilliant gem in the landscape. |
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by Debra Prinzing
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| Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Westerstede’ A delicate, vaselike form creates a sculptural effect. |
by Debra Prinzing
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Hamamelis x intermedia 'Winter Beauty' + Mahonia 'Arthur Menzies'
Layering colors and textures is an effective design technique.
Layering colors and textures is an effective design technique.
by Debra Prinzing
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Stewartia monadelpha with a carpet of Cyclamen coum
The tall Stewartia has cinnamon-hue bark, which glows against the bed of bright pink hardy cyclamen.
The tall Stewartia has cinnamon-hue bark, which glows against the bed of bright pink hardy cyclamen.
by Debra Prinzing
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Purple-leaf contorted filbert (Corylus maxima 'Atropurpurea Superba')
When its leaves are absent, you can really appreciate the contorted form of this superb ornamental filbert.
More great design plants
More:
Chinese Witch Hazel
8 Sunny Yellow Spring Flowers
When its leaves are absent, you can really appreciate the contorted form of this superb ornamental filbert.
More great design plants
More:
Chinese Witch Hazel
8 Sunny Yellow Spring Flowers
Comments
Banyon Tree Design Studio Nice to see your writing here Debra!
14 months ago · Like
leemerrick I take it that this is winter in the South. Being in MN, I would like to find plants that are hardy enough for the winter (sometimes -50 degrees F) that would add color (other than gray) against the snow.
14 months ago · Like
finnertyn Beautiful Deb! I walk past the witch hazel all the time - the fragrance is so beautiful...
14 months ago · Like
sadie1jane It would help to know where these plants are found, where they would survive
14 months ago · Like
Sheila Schmitz For those who missed it, the intro mentions that these photos were taken at the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle, Washington. :)
14 months ago · Like
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agarita Great article, Debra! I met you a few years ago in Austin, TX at the "Mod Pod" book signing party for your Stylish Sheds book. Still loving that book! :o)
14 months ago · Like
Crystal Meadows Nice to see our lovely winter plant life from The Aboretum displayed. Snohomish Garden Club
6 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on March 16, 2012.
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