Winter Concepts

USDA 2012 Hardiness Zone Map

As temperature data is analyzed across the US, the USDA will remap the areas of the country for the minimum expected winter temperatures.  This information is very important for all phases of agriculture and horticulture in determining what species of plants and seeds that will be cold hardy for an area.

USDA 2012 Hardiness Zone Map for Indiana

The above map clearly illustrates a minimum expected low temperature for most of  the northern half of Indiana of -15F.  This is a significant change from the last hardiness map that had that temperature at -25F.  

A combination of colors are shown here to illustrate the effect using yellow, blue and green for some very interesting contrasts.  This picture features the Tanyosho pine (green),  Candican fir (blue), and Cesarini's Variegated pine (bright yellow).

The beautiful exfoliating bark of the paperbark maple (acer griseum) adds considerable winter color and interest.  This is a small tree that can be used in almost any location in a landscape.

The heavily striped bark of the White Tigress variety acer tegmentosum adds a very unusual look to the landscape in all seasons and is very effective when a green background is present.  This is a relatively small tree that can be grown as a single stem or in clump form.

The Ogon Janomi variety of variegated japanese white pine is spectacular in all seasons and is especially beautiful with a dusting of snow as seen here.  This is a small (not dwarf) evergreen that does quite well with morning sun and afternoon shade.  The plant deserves a special place in a landscape where it can be viewed from many locations. 

A weeping white pine is quite beautiful with snow and can be highlighted with landscape lighting for night time effect.

Winter Gold is an unusual variety of white pine.  As the fall weather turns to winter, this plant turns a bright yellow-gold.  A background of green enhances the contrasting color effect of this medium-sized evergreen tree.

The Silberlocke korean fir is truly a plant for all seasons.  The silver-white coating on the twisted needles are always beautiful.  This small/medium sized tree is best used in part to full sun and can tolerate rather harsh environmental conditions, but it does require a well-drained soil.

The above picture is a closeup of the Winter Gold white pine described above. 

Ornamentation in the landscape can be very effective.  The above picture was taken in Santa Fe, NM.  The three objects shown here are examples of copper/brass kinetic sculptures that have almost a hypnotic movement with even a slight breeze.

The following entry is a kinetic sculpture we installed on a project that has some directed landscape lights for extended enjoyment and can be seen from inside the home.  Click on the arrow to see a short movie of its movement.