This easy 4-step Autumn planter doesn’t have your traditional yellow, brown and orange fall colours – which means that it won’t look out of place by your front door long after Thanksgiving. The ‘Wilma’s Gold’ Rosemary and Wintergreen will trail over the edge, while the Tricolor Heather will keep its colour right up to Christmas – when the Drimy’s seasonal red stems will fit right in.
Drimys lanceolata (syn. Drimys aromatica) – Pepper Tree is an upright evergreen shrub native to southern Australia and Tasmania. The bright red stems accent the glossy dark green lance-shaped leaves. Small fragrant clusters of creamy-white flowers appear from mid to late spring. Juvenile specimens work well in planters. Grows 12′ high by 8′ wide. Hardy to zone 8.
Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Wilma’s Gold’ – What makes this Rosemary cultivar different from the rest is its bright gold foliage that trails or cascades. It bears light blue flowers from mid to late spring and is a sport of Rosmarinus ‘Capri’ that was discovered in Holland. ‘Wilma’s Gold’ is a good addition to mixed containers or even hanging baskets. Grows 1′ high by 4′ wide. Hardy to zone 7.
Calluna vulgaris ‘Bud Bloomer Mix’ – The Bud Bloomers are a fairly recent class of Scotch Heather whose flower buds do not open, so while they bloom in August and September, the flower colour can actually last until January. This mix is a combination of a white and magenta Calluna, with the non-flowering gold-leaved ‘Zeta’ added for contrast. Averages 12″ high by 16″ wide. Zone 6.
Gaultheria procumbens – Wintergreen is an evergreen shrublet which has white urn-shaped summer flowers (reminiscent of heather) followed by large bubblegum-scented red berries that often persist through winter. The glossy dark green foliage also takes on burgundy tones in the colder weather, making it a great container feature. Grows 6″ high by 3′ wide. Hardy to zone 3.
Mike's Garden Guide 