Skimmia and Gaultheria, shiny red berries that resist the cold, transform the balcony into a small winter scene. The color remains bright even when January arrives, just when everything seems to stop.
You don’t need a large garden to bring a bit of nature home, all you need is a balcony, a few pots and the right choice of plants. Of all of them, Skimmia and Gaultheria are the ones that surprise. They have resistant berries, which shine even in the rain, and a patience that you wouldn’t expect from such small plants. They adapt to the cold, cope with short days and gray skies, bringing an accent of color in the months when everything shuts down.
In winter, when the light dims and the wind cuts the air, many plants slow down. Some disappear almost completely. Yet, these two remain, almost stubborn, and keep the few remaining sparrows company, perhaps near a closed window. A simple detail: seeing them every morning while it’s freezing outside gives a different moment. For those who pass by in a hurry, perhaps with a scarf pulled up to their nose, it is just a red stain. But whoever stops, even just for a second, notices it. There are minimal stories even on city balconies.
Skimmia: hardy berries and fragrant leaves
The Skimmia japonica It’s a classic for winter. It grows slowly, not too tall (usually no higher than 60-80 cm in a pot), but is always full of dark green leaves and red berries. It resists low temperatures well and does not suffer if the thermometer drops below zero. A peculiarity? The leaves, if you rub them between your fingers, release a fresh, almost citrusy scent. You don’t need much maintenance, just keep the earth slightly moist and protect it from excessively dry winds. Better if the vase is in partial shade. But be careful: Skimmia is one of those plants that hate water stagnation. Sometimes, it doesn’t take much to ruin everything. An overfilled saucer, for example.
In spring it also puts out small white or pink flowers, but in winter it is the berries that steal the show. They are not edible, better to leave them where they are. Maybe they tempt the birds, who stop every now and then to look around.
Gaultheria: bright color and low habit
Even the Gaultheria reclining (or Wintergreen) seems made especially for small balconies. It remains low, often spreading across the ground, with its oval leaves and deep red berries remaining attached until January. It doesn’t fear the frost, on the contrary. On certain cold days it almost seems to shine more.
The leaves sometimes change color in winter and become darker, almost purple. A peculiarity not to be overlooked: if you crush them, they smell like mint. It doesn’t take much to notice. Gaultheria loves slightly acidic soil, so it is better to use specific soil for acidophilic soil. Be careful not to overdo it with water: here too, stagnation is the enemy.
Not very demanding, it lives well in the company of heathers and cyclamens, but even alone it does not go unnoticed. Some also use it to decorate winter centerpieces. A little quirk, sometimes it’s okay.
Some tips for keeping berries until January
Nothing complicated, actually. Just observe a couple of precautions. Better to choose pots at least 25 centimeters deep, so the roots do not suffer.
Avoid saucers full of water after rain, especially if the balcony is not covered. If there is a lot of wind, you can move the pots close to a wall, even just one hand is enough to protect them. A curious detail: on some frosty mornings the berries seem even brighter, as if they were just cleaned.
You can also add some mulch (bark, dry leaves) to protect the soil from frost. Nothing else is needed. Skimmia and Gaultheria know how to get by, even with little.
Maybe this is exactly what you like: seeing a bit of red, while everything around you goes out or slows down. A visual break, a little winter gift.
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