The darkish days of January can be coming to an finish as day get longer and the backyard begins to get up. You might even see crocus and dwarf daffodils pushing up out of the bottom, and buds swelling on early flowering timber and shrubs.

The final full week of January is the standard time for residence and backyard exhibits to pop up for spring inspiration. For those who’ve ever questioned what to plant in a winter-theme backyard or simply need extra coloration in your backyard through the month of January, then visiting a house and backyard present with show gardens is the reply to your winter backyard goals.

Q. What shrubs do you suggest for winter coloration? I do have forsythia with yellow blooms however need another shrubs to put with the forsythia to create a backyard nook with coloration in winter. — T.H., Tacoma

A. There’s extra to winter coloration than simply forsythia. My favourite rhododendron for early winter coloration is the PJM rhododendron with darkish foliage and violet coloured blooms on a compact shrub. There are additionally witch hazel or Hamamelis virginiana varieties that can flower in the midst of winter in addition to early blooming camellias.

The straightforward approach to see, scent and even buy the most effective of the winter flowering shrubs is to go to the primary backyard exhibits of the yr because the show gardens can be created utilizing essentially the most colourful timber and shrubs presently in bloom. Native nurseries are additionally getting in contemporary shipments of early blooming shrubs this time of yr.

Q. World warming have to be right here as I’m seeing modifications in my Olympia backyard. A few of my vegetation didn’t survive the recent, dry summer season. I can’t be on the Tacoma Dwelling & Backyard Present to listen to your speak about what we should always do about our altering gardens so are you able to simply give me some fast highlights? — C.D., Olympia

A. The straightforward reply to hotter climate and drier summers is so as to add mulch this spring. A mulch is sort of a frosting or overlaying on high of the soil that can seal in moisture and funky the temperature. The most typical mulch in Western Washington is bark chips, generally known as Magnificence Bark.

You should purchase this mulch in luggage at a house heart retailer or have a truckload delivered to your own home. Typically neighbors will share a mountain of bark chips. A layer 2-3 inches deep is only at saving water and in addition smothering weeds however be sure you don’t pile the mulch up subsequent to the stems or trunks of vegetation.

Different ideas are to water deeply however much less typically to encourage plant roots to go deep in quest of moisture somewhat than keep near the floor. How a lot to water will depend on many elements, however 1 inch of water as soon as per week is the usual to start out with in our local weather.

Q. What’s the identify of the pink heather that flowers this time of yr? Electronic mail

A. The earliest-to-bloom heathers in our space are the varieties Erica carnea with widespread names reminiscent of December Crimson and Vivellii, and the white blooming heathers known as Ghost Hills. There actually are so many nice heather varieties that do effectively in our space that I like to recommend no matter you see on the market at your native nursery that’s flowering this month. Paired with forsythia, witch hazel and the early flowering rhododendrons, you’ll have loads of coloration in your winter backyard.

As landscaping specialists say, “Regardless of the climate, there may be all the time heather.”

Marianne Binetti has a level in horticulture from Washington State College and is the writer of a number of books. Attain her at binettigarden.com.

See Marianne on the Dwelling & Backyard Present

Marianne Binetti will communicate on the Tacoma Dwelling & Backyard Present Jan 28-30 on the Tacoma Dome. At midday Friday, Jan 28, and midday Sunday, Jan. 30, she’ll communicate on “Our Altering Backyard.” At 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan 29, Marianne’s matter can be “Heavenly H Vegetation: Rising Hydrangeas, Hellebores, Heucheras and Extra.”