The document discusses the considerations for winter interest in landscape design, focusing on selecting plants based on their type, size, texture, and cold hardiness. It outlines specific attributes for both woody and herbaceous plants that contribute to winter aesthetics, including their resistance to snow, salt, and winter burn. Key factors such as seasonal interest, structure, and overall plant health are emphasized for sustainable design.

1. Julie Weisenhorn Extension Educator Director, Master Gardener Program University of Minnesota Winter Interest in the Landscape

3. Plant Elements of Design Selecting plants for sustainable design Type Size – mature plant Texture Form Seasonal interest Cold hardiness Light requirements Moisture requirements Soil requirements Disease / insect resistance

4. Elements specific to winter interest Plant type Cold tolerance – snow removal, salt, winter burn Size Texture Form / structure Seasonal interest specifics

5. Plant type Woody plant Tree, shrub, evergreen, deciduous, vine Location: snow removal, salt Winter burn Herbaceous plant Dies back to the ground Can survive under snow Salt / sand tolerance Some interest from persistent flower heads

6. Woody plants

7. Herbaceous plants

8. Snow removal

9. Salt damage Photo credit: http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/PPDL/images/saltdamage.jpg

10. Winter burn

11. Size

12. Plant texture Coarse Medium Fine

18. Plant Form Structure Branching habit Weeping Upright Prostrate Spreading Rounded Mound Contorted

34. Winter specimens Flower head, bud Leaves Bark Fruit, seed