Perennials perform in winter, too
Purple coneflower
Purple coneflowers in winter
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has seed heads, which turn chocolate brown and stand up, even in snow. American goldfinch, juncos and other birds feed on these seed heads all winter. Cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring.
Japanese anemone
Japanese anemone and astilbe
stand up to winter weather.
stand up to winter weather.
© Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrida) has seed heads which dry and form what look like little balls of cotton on sturdy stems. The little white balls are attractive in winter and stay upright, even in the snow. Cut back to the ground in late winter or early spring.
'Autumn Joy' Sedum
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' in winter
© Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
‘Autumn Joy’ and many other large flowering sedums (Sedum) lose their leaves in fall, but the rusty brown seed heads stay upright to make an attractive scene, even in snow. Cut these plants back to the ground in early spring.
