Winter Blooming Plants at Rat City Studios

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Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel

Camellia

Camellia

Chinese Paper Brush

Chinese Paper Brush

Cyclamen

Cyclamen

By Deb Schwartzkopf

Near the end of winter fleeting bursts of color emerge in our landscape.
I follow them around the garden thinking of all that spring and summer will bring. These winter blooming plants bud around late January to early February, growing a little more established with each passing year. The color they bring balances out the grey of the Northwest Winter. Hope you enjoy this little collection.  I will be adding to it periodically.

Witch Hazel
These small trees lose their soft green leaves in the fall after they turn yellow.  After nurturing fuzzy brown buds all fall, in late January, crinkly, neon-yellow flowers loosen their four strap-like petals.  They have an amazing citrus-sweet fragrance! At about six years old mine is about 3.5 feet tall (it is really just getting established and I hope it takes off soon). It has a beautiful arching shape like a martini glass. The leaves and bark of Witch Hazel are used to make an astringent with numerous medicinal uses. Great blog writing on several varieties here...

Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide'
This evergreen shrub has simple five-petal, crimson blooms with a bright yellow center.  It has a light scent.  This one is newer to me, but I hear it blooms from fall through winter! It may grow to 15' tall, so I planted it thoughtfully, so it may reach its full potential without drastic pruning.  They also seem to like shade from the afternoon sun... I am looking forward to this evergreen screening my home from the street in the coming years. Link for more cultivation information on this specific variety.

Chinese Paper Brush or Yellow Daphne
Edgeworthia chrysantha
This exotic looking plant is a deciduous, broadleaf, shrub native to the forests of China. It has leaves similar in shape to a Rhododendron, but they are softer. It leaves out in the spring, holding lush green leaves all summer, then losing them, beginning the circle again.  The paw like buds swell and grow all winter. In the Seattle area, they bloom late January through February with no leaves in sight!  They are fragrant and a delight in the winter garden. Cultivation info link...

'hardy' Cyclamen
These little beauties are attractive for their flowers, but also for their greenery. They make an attractive ground cover is semi-shaped to shaded area year round. There are many varieties, with flowers ranging from white, pink, and purple. Mine is doing quite well under a large maple tree.  Here is a great cyclamen resource site (Link).
 

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Deborah Schwartzkopf

In 2013 Deb established Rat City Studios in her hometown of Seattle, WA. With a passion to engage and build community through clay she uses her unique skill set to offer educational opportunities. As a studio artist, she makes her own fabulous tableware that infuses life with purposeful beauty. Her artwork is recognized and showcased nationally. Deb was inspired by the guidance of amazing mentors along the way. These important relationships helped foster her desire to provide support and mentorship for the growing clay community. Her adventurous spirit has taken her across the country and beyond to build a depth of experience, knowledge, and a supportive network.

Rain City Clay, the sister-studio to Rat City Studios, opened in April of 2022 in West Seattle. This is a space for experiential group learning and exploriinig clay!

With over 15 years of experience, an MFA from Penn State, artwork included in collections (such as the Kamm Teapot Foundation, San Angelo Museum, and the WA State Arts Collection), numerous publications (including Ceramic Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, and Studio Potter Magazine), she has been recognized and honored in her career as a maker and is thrilled to be expanding the community.

Deb completed a Master’s of Fine Art at Penn State and has artwork included in numerous collections such as the Kamm Teapot Foundation, San Angelo Museum, and the WA State Arts Collection. She has been featured in numerous principal clay publications including Ceramic Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, and Studio Potter Magazine. Deb has been recognized and honored in her career as a maker and is thrilled to be expanding the clay community.

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