The Best Hardy Plants for New England

Despite the recent snowstorm, our thoughts have been turning to spring which, according to the calendar, arrives on March 20. True spring weather usually takes a while to catch up to the Equinox, so it will be April at least before the ground is soft and dry enough to plant. Still, just before the snow fell, our Snowdrops were in full flower under the beech tree, and the fat budded blooms of Hellebores had already popped through the unfrozen soil. Once the snow melts, they will resume their awakening to flower in early spring, as they always do. Exotic witch hazels (not the late fall-blooming natives) have been in flower since early February, uncoiling their gold, yellow or orange ribbons on warm days, and retracting them at night. Bringing their cut branches into the house persuades them to release their pleasing perfume.

While we can only enjoy (or imagine) these garden delights (Winter flowers? In New Hampshire? Yes, they are possible, and easy) -- it’s not too soon to start planning.

Let’s face it, choosing ornamental plants can be a daunting task for new homeowners and otherwise inexperienced gardeners looking to landscape their yards. For some, a trip to a well-stocked nursery displaying a wide selection of plants can be as confusing as traveling to another country where people speak a different language and whose culture is unfamiliar. Questions of “Is it hardy?” “Will it do well in my yard?” “How much care do I have to give it?” immediately come to mind. It’s no wonder that one often sees the same plants repeated from one house to another, as though each garden was painted from a common palette. Yews and rhododendrons, arborvitae and azaleas, burning bushes and junipers dominate the planted landscapes of New England, because it’s easiest to repeat what is known.

But repetition isn’t always the best way, especially when repeating mistakes. Most of the more familiar plant choices mentioned above grow too large for the average “foundation” planting, and without regular pruning (which is typically more akin to hacking,) will soon cover up first-floor windows and grow over the walkways. And relying on a limited plant palette leads to boringly similar yards.

Better nurseries will have well-trained staff to assist in the process of selecting the right plant for the location, as well as helpful signage and tags. Experienced garden designers are familiar with a much broader range of plants, and know which will not only do best, but also perform and look well with little maintenance, and will arrange them in a distinctive fashion.

Another resource for New England gardeners is to seek out the list of Cary Award-winning plants. The Cary Award program (www.CaryAward.org, a non-profit entity established and administered by the Worcester County Horticultural Society) is bestowed upon hardy woody plants that meet certain criteria: they must be hardy to at least 2 of New England’s Hardiness Zones (but are generally hardy to at least Zone 5 if not colder;) they must offer more than a single season of beauty with an emphasis on having good winter interest; they must have qualities of sustainability (i.e., be easy to grow, not require chemical pest management, and not represent a threat to native flora;) and they must be readily available. Some of them are “problem solving” plants for difficult areas.

This year’s winners of the Cary Award include a low-maintenance rose – Rosa ‘Knock Out’ and the native Yucca filamentosa or Adams Needle, joining 43 trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers that have previously been honored since 1997. A complete list, including information about and photos of individual winners can be found at www.caryaward.org. (Full disclosure: I have been a member of the Cary Award selection committee for many years as one of New Hampshire’s two representatives. Each New England state is similarly represented by professional horticulturists.) We have named future selections up to 2016, with each year’s winners announced at the appropriate time, and are working on plants to nominate and name for 2017 and beyond. Nominations may be made by anybody, and are not limited to those of the committee.

When considering which plants to replace those that may have been damaged in last year’s Halloween snowstorm, or which to choose to enhance your home or garden, be sure to start with Cary Award winners – proven for hardiness, reliability, ease and extended beauty.

Hazels and Hellebores – the Flowers of Early Spring

Winter can seem interminable to the New England gardener, with the possibility of snow from October to April. By March, we are desperate to see the inky brushstrokes of branches against the white sheet of snow become transformed into the verdant watercolor that is spring. We long for green. We long for flowers.


Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida'

For those who think that Forsythias and crocuses are the floral harbingers of spring, they are late to the party. Witch Hazels (Hamamelis) have been blooming in our gardens since the end of February, and will continue for weeks to come. They are the earliest woody plants to bloom where they are hardy (USDA Zone 5). Although of exotic origin, they are related to our native Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), which unfurls its pale yellow ribbon-like petals in October and November.

The spring-bloomers are ornamentally superior to the native Witch Hazel. Their flowers are far showier, and hybridization has resulted in colors ranging from soft yellow to brassier tones, and even orangey-reds. Most are fragrant, adding to their charm, and an armload of branches brought into the house will scent the air with sweetness. The variety ‘Arnold’s Promise’ has long been my favorite, with its bright lemony-yellow blossoms.


Hamamelis intermedia 'Pallida' flowering with snow still on the ground

Whether in bloom or in size, these are not timid shrubs. They’ll flower dependably, beginning in late February or early March, even in the snow. Each year they’ll grow larger, eventually reaching twenty feet or more in height, with a wide spread. I think they are excellent choices for a sunny corner of the house, or at the edge of a woodland garden, as Witch Hazels can tolerate a little shade. Plant some Snowdrop bulbs (Galanthus) beneath one in the fall, and you will be rewarded with your own flower show each year.


Corylopsis spicata 'Golden Spring' in bloom

Forsythias can be troublesome shrubs, as they often grow ungainly without proper pruning. A better choice might be Winter Hazel (Corylopsis spicata), which as I write this in late March, is just coming into bloom. The flowers are a lovely shade of soft yellow, and are carried on stems that are much more elegant than the common Forsythia. Although reported to be hardy only to Zone 6, we have been growing Winter Hazel in our Zone 5 gardens for the past 20 years with little or no winter damage. The pleated, bluish-green leaves remain attractive all season. We have a chartreuse-foliaged one planted in our garden (C. spicata ‘Golden Spring’,) and hope to offer this variety for sale soon. All benefit from a little shade, especially in the afternoon.


Hellebore hybrid

Lenten Rose, or Hellebore (Helleborus), have long been appreciated in Europe for their early blooms that defy cold weather. Over recent years, they have gained a following in the US, and there has been much breeding work done to produce a virtual rainbow of colors and “doubled” flowers. Our Hellebores started to emerge from the ground once the snow melted, and a week of unusually mild weather has brought their flowering stalks to attention, while catching ours. If snow were to fall on them, it’s no matter, as they will patiently wait for it to melt and reveal their long-lasting blooms. Placing Hellebores under a deciduous tree or shrub will give them sun early in the season, and shade later. The foliage is leathery yet quite handsome, and effective all season. I like to clip off last year’s foliage in the early spring, to give room for the new shoots.


Helleborus 'Blue Lady'

It’s little wonder why these superb plants are rarely seen in gardens. Often, they have finished blooming before gardeners seeking springtime cheer are visiting nurseries – all the more reason to do some homework before making a plant purchase, rather than buying what’s in flower. To have four-season interest in your garden requires planning, and patience. To quote W. E. Johns, “One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides.”


Helleborus 'White Spotted Lady'