There is something both familiar and reassuring about fall: the leaves begin to change their colour and drop to the ground; and the rains begin to fall and wash away the summer's dust, quench the soil, and refill the ponds and wells. At the same time, the garden plants are readying themselves for the winter ahead, dreaming of spring. Three of my favorite shrubs in fall/winter are:
Barberry:
As well as being beautiful, barberries are easy to grow, and give us four-season enjoyment They have small, yellow flowers in spring, vivid chartreuse, orange or burgundy foliage in summer and fall, and bright red berries that appear in October and last into winter - like this one below. I also love barberry because they are one of the earliest plants to leaf out in spring and the last to lose their leaves in fall! Just watch out for their very sharp thorns.
Skimmia Japonica:
This evergreen is a delight all year with lovely delicate flowers. The female plant, like this one below produces beautiful, but poisonous red berries in fall.
Sarcococca:
One of my favorite evergreen shrubs that blooms in winter is already setting its tiny white buds. The leaves are dark shiny green, leathery and pointed and in winter the stems bear many very small white flowers. Once you smell the strong, delicious honey perfume which is produced by the flowers, you will want to have this plant in your garden. I now have 2.
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