Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest – Northwest

1. ‘Onyx Odyssey’ Hellebore

Name:Helleborushybridus‘Onyx Odyssey’

USDA Hardiness Zones:4 to 8

Size:12 to 15 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide

atmospheric condition : Best in fond sun ; put up a all-encompassing mountain chain of soils , admit clay and Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin , but not waterlogged term

“ Sexy , ” “ intense , ” and “ alluring ” are arrant ways to report the dark double blooms of this hellebore . ‘ Onyx Odyssey ’ is my favorite seedling variant , which covers a colour image from maroon saturated with black to inscrutable fusain dusted in blue . The long - lasting flowers are often complement with dark - purpleness - blushed unexampled leafage . They are thoroughgoing for combining with cream , ash grey , or atomic number 79 variegated leafage or pale - colored other blossom bulb like snow crocus ( Crocus chrysanthus , Zones 4–8 ) or winter aconite ( Eranthis hyemalis , Zones 5–8 ) .

2. Algerian Iris

Name:Iris unguicularis

zones:7 to 9

size:12 to 15 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide

conditions : Full Sunday to light nuance ; well - drained grunge

The first flower of Algerian fleur-de-lis is always a treat . The rich lavender - low-spirited flowers beam in the winter landscape with a few days of utter floral glory . Fortunately , the bud open over a long catamenia of clip , so there always seems to be at least one flush open or on its way to opening through even the worst of winter . I grow mine under the eaves of the sign of the zodiac , so they are close at paw to enjoy and less likely to have rain mar their undecided salad days . Do n’t forget to plunk a few bloom to bring at heart to savour their sweet scent .

3. Rebecca™Winter Daphne

Name:Daphne odora‘Hewreb’

Zones:7 to 9

Size:3 feet magniloquent and 4 foot blanket

term : igniter to dappled shade , no blistering afternoon sunlight ; well - drain organic soil , best in arenaceous grunge

Winter daphnes are essential for the garden . Their delightful fragrance , evergreen plant foliation , and power to tolerate subtlety have made them a democratic choice for years . Rebekah ™ winter daphne is an awesome improvement over the typical form . The variegated leave of absence of Rebecca ™ have a bold , lustrous creamy yellow boundary with a consistent , clean look that surpasses other variegated forms . The variegation is gear up off by the leaf ’s strange subtle blue - green center , unique to this pick . The profusely produced flowers are richly fragrant with deep red - violet buds open pinko , then weaken to a blush . As an added incentive , it grows with a more compact habit than most other selections , giving the shrub a full , profuse appearance .

4. ‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’ Daffodil

Name:Narcissus‘Rijnveld’s Early Sensation’

Zones:3 to 8

Size:12 to 15 column inch marvelous and wide

weather : Full sun ; well - drained grime

Northwest winters can be very rainy and grey-headed , so ‘ Rijnveld ’s Early Sensation ’ Narcissus pseudonarcissus is an especially welcome peck . It is the earliest of the cornet daffodils to flower , with the first bloom often come in early January . The large , golden yellow trump flush are like a beacon of sunshine . The hardy flowers will tolerate frost without being damage and can often last four to six weeks , much longer than any other daffodil . Like many other daffodils , ‘ Rijnveld ’s Early Sensation ’ imprint robust bunch quickly that will bring home the bacon a spectacular show for many days to come .

Richie Steffen is conservator at the Elisabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in Seattle .

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Algerian Iris

Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest - Northeast

Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest – Midwest

Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest - Southeast

Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest – Mid-Atlantic

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