WASHINGTON GARDENER
To produce berries, a male and female plant are both required; to ensure that happens, plant ‘Jim Dandy’, a compact male winterber - ry specifically marketed to pollinate other winterberries. Make sure it is located within 50 feet of the female (berry-producing) plants. It blooms in June and its small flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators. Winterberry is most pleasing in the autumn landscape, when its leaves fall off to reveal branches loaded with bright red, orange, or yellow berries. These remain on the tree for the first part of winter and then the birds move in to consume them. The branches of berries are often used in holiday and floral arrangements. Plant them where they can attain their mature height and spread; pruning is not recommended, as it will impact the number of flowers and the quantity of fruit the plant sets. Newer cultivars on the market include ‘Berry Heavy’, ‘Winter Gold’, ‘Red Sprite’, ‘Sparkleberry’, and ‘Little Goblin’, a dwarf version. PAPERBUSH Paperbush ( Edgeworthia make paper and is quite attractive. It is a plant of the woodland edge, often found growing along the banks of streams in its native habitats in China and the Himalayas. It prefers to be planted in dappled shade and well-drained soil. This shrub is not troubled by pests or diseases, and is long-lived under favorable conditions. It is hardy to zones 7-10, though gardeners in zone 6 could attempt it if they can offer the paper - bush a well-sheltered area of their property. Edgeworthia offers multi-season appeal. When fully leafed out, the shrub has a tropical appearance. In the fall, its leaves turn bright yellow before they are shed. Most cultivated forms of paperbush are yellow-flowering; a commonly available cultivar is ‘Gold Rush’. There are also reddish-orange flowered varieties such as ‘Red Dragon’ and ‘Akebono’. HEATHS AND HEATHERS Heaths ( Ericas ) and heathers ( Callunas ) are members of the Erica - ceae family. They are evergreen, with bell-like flowers, and share sim - ilar cultural needs. Winter-blooming heathers, the Ericas, are called chrysantha ) has flowers that are fragrant and showy in the late winter landscape. The blooms resemble upside down para- sols and are long-lasting, often hanging in for six to eight weeks in the garden. The paperbush’s flaky, red - dish-brown bark was used to
heaths. The Heaths have nee- dle-like leaves in whorls, while the Heathers have scale-like leaves, similar to junipers. The flower colors range from white through light pink, into deep pinks, reds, and purples. The foliage comes in a wide range of green and bronze tones. Heaths and Heathers look great combined in the landscape with Witch Hazels, dwarf conifers, Crocus, Daffodils, Winter Aco -
nite, Hellebores, and Snowdrops. They do well in rock gardens and on slopes. They are often used in groupings as a ground cover as well as a small specimen shrub at the front of a border or in containers. Heaths and Heathers can be found all over the world, except Ant- arctica. The Ericas we grow in our gardens come mainly from Western Europe and the Mediterranean. They prefer acid soils like their rela - tives in the Ericaceae family— the rhododendrons, azaleas, and blue - berries. They are generally hardy to USDA Zones 4-7. The best time to plant them is in early spring or fall to give them plenty of time to get established before the extreme heat or cold sets in. Water them well for their first year and keep them mulched. They are fairly drought-tol - erant once established, and do not require fertilizer. Winter-blooming heaths need four things: good air circulation, ex- cellent drainage, acid soil (a pH range of 4.5-6), and at least six hours of sun. They also like protection from drying winter winds and after- noon shade in hot regions. Prune just as this year’s flowers are ending and sheer them back all over for a fuller, more compact look. Cutting back at a later time results in the loss of blooms. Heaths and Heathers are considered deer-resistant. They are loved by bees and are a great source of nectar in late winter. Kathy Jentz is editor/publisher of Washington Gardener magazine. She is also the host of the popular GardenDC Podcast. All article photos are by Kathy Jentz. Washington Gardener magazine is the gardening publication published specifically for the local metro area — zones 6-7 — Washington DC and its suburbs. The maga - zine is written entirely by local area gardeners. They have real-world knowledge and practical advice. They share their thoughts on what to plant in deep shade, how to cover bare spots, which annuals work best throughout the humid DC summers, and much more. The magazine is published monthly online and includes timely information such as a local garden events calendar and gardening to-do list for that month. A year-long digital subscription is $20.00. To subscribe to the magazine: Send a check/money or - der for $20.00 payable to “Washington Gardener” magazine to: Washington Garden - er, 826 Philadelphia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910 OR to pay via Paypal/credit card click on the “ subscribe ” link at www.WashingtonGardener.com .
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PATHWAYS—Winter 24-25—65
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