The winter landscape doesn’t have to be limited to smooth white snowdrifts. These 5 native trees and shrubs can add extra interest to your yard during winter…
The winter landscape doesn’t have to be limited to smooth white snowdrifts. These 5 native trees and shrubs can add extra interest to your yard during winter:
1. Evergreens - an obvious choice if you miss greenery in the middle winter. Plant one or more of these native evergreen trees and shrubs: White Pine, Red Cedar, White Cedar, or Common Juniper. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/trees_shrubs/conifers/index.html
2. Red Osier Dogwood - This show stopper has red twigs and adds a nice pop of color to the landscape. https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/shrub/red-osier-dogwood
3. River Birch - River Birch’s salmon colored peeling bark adds both color and texture to your yard. https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/tree/river-birch
4. Highbush Cranberry - This shrub has clusters of bright red berries that persist into winter. As an extra bonus, the berries provide wildlife forage in the winter. Do avoid planting the non-native varieties from Europe. http://www.goodhueswcd.org/shrub-information?lightbox=image64o
5. Swamp White Oak - This tree tends to keep most of its leaves over winter, adding texture to winter’s landscape. https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/tree/swamp-white-oak