"Think about trees beyond their flowers," Simeone said.
By paying attention to particular elements of plants -- branch structure, bark texture, berries, fruit and seed pods and foliage -- gardeners can pick plants that provide year-round interest, he said.
"Then there are environmental conditions. The landscape is lit differently in the winter, so the shadows are different. Throw a little ice and snow in there... The garden is always doing something, even in the middle of winter."
Simeone's list of recommended plants is a starting point for those who want to extend their garden's appeal to year-round.
Gardeners need to keep in mind the needs of a particular plant and its growth habit. Check with local nurseries for help in finding suitable plants. Ask about plants that provide winter interest.
Some visual details, such as peeling bark, might not show up until a tree is older, while the vibrant redof the Redtwig dogwood is typically due to younger branches, so regular pruning to spur new growth is a must.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has many of the plants on Simeone's list, so Richmonders who want to see how the plant performs in this region might want to pay a visit to the garden.
"These broadleaf evergreens like the hollies are certainly something that we get a chance to enjoy in our winter landscapes," said Tom Brinda, Lewis Ginter horticulture director, during a walk through the garden.
"I go home to Minnesota. There is winter stem color, bark color, fruit color, but we don't have broadleaf evergreens [in Minnesota]," Brinda said. "So that's one good thing we have in our climate. It is an important component of our Virginia landscapes. The hollies, both native and the English, the Japanese camellias, rhododendrons, natives and hybrids, they are one part of the winter landscape."
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