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Most of the fall garden work is complete and gardeners are dreaming of next spring. So now is a good time to check out fall colors that stay around into the winter, if not all winter.

Our blueberry leaves are a bright red and I am anxious to see how long they stay on the bushes. Our two Mountain Ash trees are loaded with deep orange fruit. Even though the leaves may fall soon, there are many meals for the birds throughout the winter.

If you are thinking about planting for fall beauty, think about "Winterberry.” Lynn Steiner is the author the book, "Landscaping with Native Plants of Minnesota.” Steiner believes nothing beats native Winterberry for showy fruit.

Unlike its southern relatives, this deciduous holly loses its leaves in winter. It redeems itself by producing bright red berries that stay on the branches well after the leaves have fallen. These red berries are very showy against a background of evergreens, or white snow. The branches also make colorful floral arrangements.

Winterberry should be planted in groupings or mixed with other plants that lack winter color. It can be used for hedging or in foundation plantings. The attractive dark green leathery leaves vary from flat to shiny on the upper surface.

Since berries are only produced on female plants, you need to plant one male plant close to three to five female plants to ensure good pollination and plenty of fruit. Nurseries should label plants "male" or "female" so you know what you are buying.

Winterberry is best planted in early spring. However, container-grown plants can be planted anytime but the hottest days of summer. It grows best in an acidic soil that is evenly moist. It will even grow in wet or even boggy soil. Before planting, amend the soil with a good amount of organic matter such as compost, peat moss, or well-rotted manure.

Keep landscape shrubs surrounded with two to four inches of organic matter, such as wood chips, shredded bark, or pine needles. This conserves soil moisture and reduces weed growth. Make sure plants have adequate moisture from spring until the ground freezes in the fall. Plants in drier soils will have better berry size and ornamental appeal.

Young plants will grow faster with annual applications of an acidic fertilizer such as Miracid, iron sulfate, cottonseed meal, or sulfur. Winterberry has an attractive natural form, and little pruning is needed. If pruning is needed, early spring is the best time.

Spider mites can be a problem during hot, dry spells. Keep plants well watered and hit the foliage with a water spray to dislodge the mites. Leaf spot and powdery mildew can be problems during rainy years, but they are rarely serious and do not require treatment. If the soil is too alkaline, leaves may turn yellow between the veins. This can be corrected by lowering the soil ph with acidic fertilizer.

Winterberry will grow from six to ten feet tall and range from 6-10 feet wide, and they do best in full sun. It is reliably hardy in zone three. Several cultivars have been recommended, and most are female. "Afterglow" features small glossy green leaves and large orange-red berries maturing to orange. "Aurantiaca" is an unusual form with orange-red fruit that fades to orange-yellow. "Cacapon" grows to six feet tall while "Compacta" is a dwarf maturing at only three to four feet tall. There are other cultivars to choose from that a well-known nursery can help you with.

In Your Yard and Garden

Now is the perfect time to put down your winter mulch. Mulch helps to protect newly planted perennials and those plants whose crowns are near the surface from the freeze- thaw cycle which can sometimes push plants above the soil surface, exposing their roots to drying winds.

Ways to Access Information

The voice mail is checked year round. Leave a message at 651.674.4417 ext. 18, and a Master Gardener will return your call.

www.extension.umn.edu/county/chisago Check out the 'Hot Topics' box in the middle of the page for current Chisago County Master Gardener news and events. You can also click on 'Ask a Master Gardener' next to the cute little flower on the right hand side of the page. Here you can search 1000's of answers from Master Gardeners around the state. If you don't find your answer you can submit a question online or search for University publications.

Bell Museum of Natural History: For information about snakes, skunks, raccoons or other wildlife around your yard, call the wildlife information line at (612) 624-1374 or www.bellmuseum.orgTo see the latest Yard and Garden newsletter, go to: http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/YGLNews/YGLNews.html

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