Red Foliage
Woody plants with colorful foliage can certainly brighten the winter landscape. Today I’m at Rocky Creek Nursery in Lucedale to look at woody plants with good burgundy color.
A favorite of mine is the red barberry. Known botanically as Berberis thunbergii atropurpurea, the name literally means burgundy leaf. When grown in the full sun the foliage on the arching stems is a dark blood red. The new foliage of Rose Glow barberry is pinkish rose, with deeper red-purple mottling. But care is needed when handling due to the sharp spines.
Purple loropetalum is a standout plant. This robust shrub is perfect for a lower maintenance choice. The branches are arching and create a layered effect. The slender brown stems have a wooly texture. The purplish-red flowers have four strap-like petals and are arranged in groups giving a feathery appearance.
Japanese Cleyera is a solid performer when used as an accent in the landscape. The foliage is thick and leathery with bright red petioles. The new leaves emerge reddish bronze and mature to a lustrous, dark green. In the fall and winter the foliage develops a rich bronze red color.
When shopping for container grown plants be sure to take a look at the root system. Gently remove the container; healthy roots are a bright white color. This will also let you know if the plant is root bound, which is something you want to avoid.
These shrubs transplant well and as long as you can dig in the soil you can add some to your landscape. I’m Gary Bachman for Southern Gardening.