Winter = Green + Gray + RED

On a recent walk, I noticed the confirmation of winter’s arrival in the lack of color in the neighborhood landscapes. Green and gray dominate this time of year. But then I really opened my eyes and noticed the reds, berries mostly.  Nandinas, toyons, Malus, Ilex, cotoneasters, firethorn (Pyracantha), asparagus ferns  … the list goes on. All are laden with bright red berries in the midst of winter. What a treat for the eyes, and the birds, and the squirrels!

As to the forethought of the gardeners who planted these lovely shrubs and trees: Kudos. I have realized I’m a spur-of-the-moment landscape planner — a nonplanner, really. I don’t often, if ever, think about how a plant will look in the depth of winter, or the dog days of summer. Consequently, my garden looks rode-hard and put away wet in January and August.

After my eye-opening walk through my Zone 9, northwest Vacaville neighborhood, I may have to rethink my gardening strategy. Or at least come up with a strategy. I see a future with some red-berried shrubs. They make winter so much brighter.

Bright red berries glisten on a prickly branch of a foxtail fern (Asparagus densiforus 'Meyersii') All photos by Kathy Thomas Rico

A spectacular display of color can be seen on this firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea 'Red Column') on Nelson Road, between Vacavillen and Fairfield

Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) is a California native that puts on a show of color in early winter, explaining its common name: Christmas berry

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