Bill's Picks for January

As the January cold sets in, it's comforting to sit in the warmth of the house and enjoy the frosted, skeletal shapes of the winter garden.  Here are Bill's picks for January.

Golden Weeping Willow (Salix Niobe):  A mature weeping willow with its long cascading branches almost touching the ground is something to behold.  Not only does the form of this tree offer a lot of winter interest, it is an ideal choice for a wet area or near the edge of a pond.  This is a fast growing tree and needs lots of room to spread out. 

                                  

Harry Lauder's Walking Stick (Corylus):  These plants, from the hazelnut   family, are tough and durable.  The contorted branches in winter are spectacular; be sure to place them where you can see them from the warm comfort of your home.  I am a fan of the straight species with its abundance of nuts in the fall which are great for wildlife.  There are many new choices some with leaves of yellow or red.  Harry Lauder's Walking Stick is a nice focal point for a small garden or perennial border.

In the Northeast, I'm sure many of us don't think of perennials for winter interest, but there are really many to choose from--especially for wildlife.  I have seen many perennial gardens left to go to seed making a perfectrefuge with abundant food for wild life and birds.  Here are a few good choices.

• Coneflower (echinacea)
• Black-eyed Susan (rudbeckia)
• Holly Hock (alcea)
• Sedum (stonecrop)
• Lavender (lavendula)-Pictured
• Japanese Spurge (pachysandra)-an evergreen ground cover
• Grasses (most varieties)