ALLIUM

There are hundreds of alliums, including onions and garlic . The ornamental varieties often have leaves similar to onions, as well as the onion’s round ball shaped flower heads. There are many varieties with star-like clusters of flowers and others, like A. Cernuum, the ‘Nodding Onion’, with hanging pendants of blossoms. Alliums grow from bulbs. They have strappy, leaves and straight tubular flower stalks. The flower form in clusters and are best known in the round pom- pom form, but they can be start shaped, cup- shaped, semi-circular or pendulous. Alliums do not repeat bloom. Keep foliage watered after flowering, to feed the plant.
 

Pieris - Andromeda

The Andromedas are loaded with colorful maroon, red and dark pink winter buds now. They are a broadleaf evergreen that works in both the winter and spring landscape. Choose from superior cultivars like 'Dorothy Wycoff', 'Mountian Fire', 'Valley Valentine' & Brouwer's Beauty'. Or vary the size of your selections with dwarfs like 'Prelude' or 'Cavatine'. Anyway you cut it Andromedas are a must in the home landscape for winter interst and early spring bloom.
 

Hamamelis - Witch Hazel

Witch Hazels are wonderful plants to add a "pick me up" to the late winter garden. Blooming in either February, March or April (depending on your local) they offer up surprising flowers of sulfer yellow to burnt orange and brick reds. A single stem sample planted close to a spring walkway will reward you with a fresh fragrance in anticipation of warmer days to come. There has been a lot of breeding in recent years but our favorites are hard to do with out. Try 'Arnold Promise', 'Jelena', 'Pallida', 'Diane' and 'Westerstede' to name just a few. To keep this plant in check, it's best to prune back rapid growth by 1/3rd or so right after they flower and you'll get a much denser and compact shaped plant.