Late fall and early winter can be a drab time in northeastern gardens. Most of the leaves have faded from the trees, and the perennial border is looking mushy and brown. What’s a gardener to do? Luckily, there are many plants that look great at this time of year. The following are a few trees and shrubs that might be lesser known but are worth adding to your garden for a late-season show.
Zanthoxylum simulans, Zones 5b–9
There is just something about having a shrub in your garden that is interesting, useful, and not that common. Zanthoxylum is a genus that you may not be familiar with, but if you are a foodie, or maybe of Chinese descent, than you are in on the surprise. The berries of the plants from the Zanthoxylum species (all are known commonly as Szechuan peppercorns) are a sensation to be experienced. You might have encountered them in authentic Szechuan restaurants (Mapo tofu, anyone?). They cause your taste buds to feel as if they are being electrocuted—but in a good way.
The surprising thing is that Szechuan pepper (or prickly ash) is hardy in many northeastern gardens. It’s hardly a novelty because it’s also a pretty shrub. Sure, it’s thorny, but no more so than a hybrid tea rose, and it’s really all about the late autumn display here. As the foliage turns golden and drops, it’s the glossy red fruits that shine, cracking open to release their black seeds and distinctive fragrance. Yes, you can pick them and dry them or use them fresh in your kitchen adventures. This may be a shrub that is more about adding early winter interest and usefulness to your garden than, let’s say, another hydrangea might bring. But don’t we all need an extra boost of garden interest in the short days of November and December?
Callicar
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