Euonymus fortunei

Euonymus fortunei, known in English as "wintercreeper" and in French as fusain de Fortune or fusain de Japon, is a woody perennial vine native to east Asia. Its beautiful foliage, often variegated with yellow or white, brightens many winter gardens in my neighbourhood.

Petroselinum crispum: at winter's end

Petroselinum crispum, known in English as parsley and in French as persil, is a common biennial herb native to the Mediterannean.

I never thought of parsley as an evergreen, but it has stayed a bright green through the winter, despite having spent months crushed under snow!

Gaultheria procumbens: foliage at winter's end

Gaultheria procumbens, known in English as wintergreen, tea berry, or checkerberry, and in French as gaulthérie couchée, thé du Canada, palommier, or thé de Terre-Neuve is an evergreen low-growing shrub (10-15 cm tall) native to eastern North America.

I bought this little plant last August at Sheridan Nurseries (near Yonge and Eglinton) to provide some winter colour. Of course it was buried under the snow most of the time. Over the winter it turned an interesting dark red, which is especially bright on the undersides of the leaves.

Rhododendron simsii

Rhododendron simsii, known in English as Indian azalea and in French as azalé de l'Inde and azalé de Formose, is an evergreen shrub from Asia grown for its masses of pink, white, red, or mauve blossoms.

Not surprisingly, Indian azalea is not hardy enough to withstand Toronto winters. It can, however, be grown as a houseplant, and spend summers outside if desired. I photographed these azaleas at Allan Gardens. And of course, there are hardy azaleas available.

Rhododendron: winter

Rhododendron spp., known in English and French by the genus name, are shrubs native to many parts of the world, especially in the northern hemisphere. The species shown is (obviously) a broad-leaf evergreen, one of the very few broadleaf evergreens which can survive Toronto winters.

Rhododendrons are sometimes suggested as a source of "winter interest", but here in Toronto many of them are buried under snow. Also, the leaves become limp in winter; I personally do not find this appealing. The plump buds with their promise of gorgeous spring blossoms are lovely, however.