Thomas Little's Top Plants for Luxurious Winter Gardens
New York City-based garden architect Thomas Little has revealed his top plant choices for creating luxurious winter gardens, despite previous search results lacking this information. His recommendations include tough, resilient plants that thrive in various conditions and provide year-round interest.
Little suggests using Heather, Heaths, or Calluna, ankle-high plants that originate from rocky alpine regions. They begin flowering in fall and retain their color well into early winter, adding a touch of elegance to any garden.
Teasel, with its tall, statuesque silhouette, is another favorite. It loves consistently wet soil and attracts pollinators and birds, making it an excellent choice for luxury garden designs.
Mahonia brings an exotic touch with its saw-toothed evergreen leaves and saffron yellow flowers that bloom in the winter solstice. It's happy in dappled light, shade, or full sun, providing year-round interest.
Eryngium adds height and toughness to gardens, with seedheads that withstand wind and snow. It loves alkaline sandy soil and thrives in coastal conditions.
Ascot Rainbow Euphorbia stands out with its variegated and ombré pattern, providing a jungle-like feel to gardens and patios.
Boxwood, a favorite evergreen shrub, is known for its compact appearance and dense growth patterns. It's often used as a privacy hedge and can be sculpted into various topiary designs like five-foot tall spirals or lollipops.
Little recommends contrasting Boxwood with the unpredictable softness of Miscanthus and other grasses that tassel in fall for a striking contrast. Sempervivium, the horticultural equivalent of Little Caesars pizza, can create small pockets of considered planting that make a design look lived-in and interesting.
Thomas Little's winter garden recommendations include Heather, Teasel, Mahonia, Eryngium, Ascot Rainbow Euphorbia, Boxwood, Miscanthus, and Sempervivium. These plants offer a mix of toughness, resilience, and beauty, ensuring luxurious gardens throughout the winter months.
