Susan Wysock, The Natural Garden Inc.
St. Charles:

Connie Rivera, Owner, City Escape Garden & Design Chicago:

“I really do like the redtwig dogwood in winter…but also I like some of the grasses: Miscanthus gracillimus and I also like the Calamagrostis acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster.’ Also some of the native roses we sell…but most of the time the birds get them. In the winter, you just want some structure in the garden.”

“For us, we really like the Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ or the M. x giganteus’. Either one of them because they flow in the wind when they’re in a clump format. Their seed heads are terrific all winter long. They just really have that ‘something’ going on.”

Sue Rancak, Assistant Manager in Outdoor Sales at Pasquesi’s Home & Gardens, Barrington and Lake Bluff:

Dr. James Ethridge, Chairman of the Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences at Joliet Junior College
Joliet:

“Winter garden interest is all about silhouette and movement. Pagoda dogwood, with its horizontal branching, is one of the most beautiful winter sights. Oakleaf hydrangea has peeling bark, arching branches and dried tan blooms that rustle in the wind. Perennial grasses have great architectural interest and movement, whether upright or laden with snow.”

“I’m going to have to say the holly group: ‘Blue Stallion’, ‘China Girl’ and ‘China Boy’, even ‘Golden Girl’. The reason I like them is because they have a deep blue-green holiday color. Underneath I grow perennial bamboo. It creates nice contrast with the holly because
they’re a very bright green against
the bright blue.”