Native Plant Trust

Mild winter weather in New England is cause for celebration; a chance to get outdoors, an opportunity to imagine spring has arrived early. Fortunately, the natural world remains on track and, for the most part, locked in dormancy. There are, however, garden elements that really stand out during the long, cold winters here, regardless of whether the weather is bitter or tepid.

Rhododendrons, for example, are nature’s thermometers; the degree to which their leaves droop and curl is a measurement of how many layers are needed to venture outdoors. The arborvitae are helping keep deer populations alive — at least up to the point where they can reach the sprays of green foliage — all while the white pines stand as silent sentinels watching the wind and the birds breeze past. This week’s column will focus on outstanding and unusual evergreens and shrubs for winter interest and even winter blossoms.