Winter Urn for a Pacific Northwest Garden
Debbie Teashon
I planted a smoky gray urn with three types of vegetation for the winter garden and set it up on a pedestal outside my window where I work. I wanted something that would bring a spot of color to the winter season, when color is at an all-time low.
The cabbage palm—Cordyline australis 'Torbay Dazzler'—is marginally hardy so I planted it knowing it may not make it through a harsher winter. However, its spikes might remain as winter interest, as long as it looked good. I under-planted the Cordyline with three each of the coral bell Heuchera 'Pinot Gris' and the pansy Viola 'Tiger Eyes'. I will plant both of them in the garden when spring makes its debut and the weather warms up. With a mild winter this year, the Cordyline made it through unscathed, and I will plant it in a larger container for the summer.
The urn sat on its pedestal out in the elements all winter. The Anna hummingbirds visited the tiger eyes violas an added element for my winter pleasure. The violas and heucheras echoing the hues of the daffodils (Narcissus ‘Suada’) and flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum 'Claremont') was a pleasant early spring surprise. (Photo below)
Photographed in author's garden.
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Wendy Tweton and Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners)
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