A Glowing Winter Border with Dogwood, Heath and Grasses

Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Fall Borders, Winter Borders

This incredibly pretty planting includes plants of great winter interest that will lift your spirits during the dull days of winter.

A carpet of winter-flowering heathers including Erica carnea ‘Myretoun Ruby’ and ‘Springwood White’ is backed by the glowing crimson stems of Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ (Tatarian Dogwood), the luminous foliage of Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ (Wintercreeper), and the tall, arching leaves of Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea (Purple Moor Grass), still topped with a haze of delicate flower spikes, that sway gracefully in the slightest breeze.

At the front, a sea of Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass) completes this spectacular border, their thin brown-beige winter leaves continuously moved by the wind.

If you consider planting your own winter-interest garden in a similar fashion, do not hesitate to add some snowdrops, early bulbs and hellebores.

Low maintenance, deer resistant and fairly easy to replicate, this planting includes top performing plants which have been awarded prestigious awards. Enjoy a glorious and colorful spectacle from winter to even spring!

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Garden Information

Hardiness	5 - 7
Heat Zones	5 - 7
Climate Zones	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance	Deer
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden

Plants In This Garden

Cornus alba 'Sibirica' (Tatarian Dogwood)

Noted for its stunning bright coral red stems in winter, award-winning Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ (Tatarian Dogwood) is a medium-sized, suckering, deciduous shrub forming a thicket of vibrant red stems, turning bright crimson in winter. Often numerous, they radiate beautifully from the base of the shrub.

Hardiness	3 - 7
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	4' - 7' (120cm - 210cm)
Spread	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)

Erica carnea 'Myretoun Ruby' (Winter Heath)

Erica carnea ‘Myretoun Ruby’ (Winter Heath) is one of the darkest red Heath with masses of small, urn-shaped flowers that open heliotrope and deepen from magenta to rich, ruby-red over the season. Blooming heavily for weeks from mid-winter to late spring (Jan-May), they beautifully smother the needle-like, dark green foliage.

Hardiness	5 - 7
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Winter
Height	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Erica carnea 'Springwood White' (Winter Heath)

Highly popular among gardeners for its vigorous trailing habit, award-winning Erica carnea ‘Springwood White’ features abundant small, urn-shaped, silvery-white flowers from early winter to late spring (Dec-May). They beautifully smother the needle-like, bright green foliage. Great at providing winter color, this low-growing, evergreen shrub creates an excellent ground cover for sunny locations while requiring little care. It may also be used to trail over retaining walls.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Winter
Height	7" - 8" (18cm - 20cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' (Hakone Grass)

One of the most superb ornamental grasses, Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass) is a very beautiful golden variegated grass. Its foliage forms attractive mounds of gracefully arching, shiny leaves that ripple in the slightest breeze.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Spring (Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold' (Wintercreeper)

Noted for its luminous and attractive foliage, Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ (Wintercreeper) is a low-growing, broadleaf, evergreen shrub with a spreading habit. It forms a dense, bushy mat of glossy, ovate to elliptic, dark green leaves edged with gold and tinged pink in fall and winter.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Seasons	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)

Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea (Moor Grass)

Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea (Purple Moor Grass) is an exceptionally lovely and graceful ornamental grass. Tall, with an open growth habit, it exhibits arching thread-like leaves topped in summer with a haze of delicate flower spikes, that sway gracefully in the slightest breeze.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	4' - 8' (120cm - 240cm)
Spread	2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm)

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Erica (Heath) Hakonechloa (Hakone Grass) Euonymus Cornus (Dogwood)

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Erica carnea ‘December Red’ (Winter Heath)

Erica x darleyensis ‘Alba’ (Winter Heath)

Erica x darleyensis ‘Furzey’ (Winter Heath)

Helleborus Winter Jewels ‘Golden Lotus’ (Hellebore)

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ (Bloodtwig Dogwood)

Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop)

Chionodoxa forbesii ‘Blue Giant’ (Glory of the Snow)

Narcissus ‘Tete a Tete’ (Cyclamineus Daffodil)

Learn About These Genera

Heath and Heather

Hakonechloa macra (Hakone Grass)

GAP Photos//Elke Borkowski

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.