Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Winter is the time of year when avid gardeners long for their garden and dream of spring . But you do n’t have to await until spring to enjoy your K . Some plants really await their best during the cold , grim months of wintertime .
When choosing plant life for wintertime interest , colorful flowers are not the only decorative property to consider . Look for varieties with interesting structure , evergreen foliation , attractive bark , colored stems , Charles Edward Berry , or fragrance .
In cold weather climates , choose cultivars that are hardy enough to survive long , cold winters . Add tree diagram and shrubs such as enchantress hazel , red twig dogwood tree , and evergreen plant conifers for height and structure that will search safe even under a mantle of snow . Do n’t forget early bulbs such as snowdrops and crocus that will peek through as the snow melts off to permit you sleep with that spring is not far away .
Those who live in milder regions that receive little or no snowfall will have more choice to select from . Here are some of the best winter plant life for your landscape .
WINTER PLANTS
North Pole ® arborvitae . Photo : Proven Winners
ARBORVITAE North Pole® (Thuja occidentalis)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright columnar habitHeight / Spread:10 to 15 feet magniloquent , 3 to 5 feet wideBloom clip : Grown for leafage
This versatile evergreen conifer has a narrow-minded columnar social system that is suitable for narrow side yards and other small spaces . Soft rough-textured foliage holds its fertile fleeceable colour year - round , and is resistant to winter burn . Plant in a row asprivacy screeningalong a property lineage , or apply to dividegarden way . Learn arbovitae .
Pictured : North Pole ® arborvitaefrom Proven Winners .
' Miss Piggy ' bergenia . Photo : Proven Winners
BERGENIA (Bergeniaspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Part sun to shadeHabit : mound propagate habitHeight / Spread:1 to 2 feet tall and wideBloom clip : belated winter to early springiness
Also bonk as pigsqueak , the dense lolly - same foliage stay evergreen plant in most regions . Some varieties develop rich red or burgundy folio coloring in wintertime . Alexander Graham Bell - regulate flowers appear on sturdy upright stems from recent winter to early spring in colors of white , pinkish or Battle of Magenta . apply this low - growing herbaceous perennial in subtlety borders , rock garden , or as pathway adjoin . Learn bergenia .
Pictured:‘Miss Piggy ' bergeniafrom Proven Winners .
pic : VDB Photos / Shutterstock
CAMELLIA (Camelliaspp.)
Zones:7 - 10Exposure : mottled sun or partial shadeHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:2 to 20 feet tall and wide , depending on the varietyBloom time : shine to mid - spring , depending on the motley
Camelliais one of the showiest wintertime - flower flora , with graceful multi - petalous blossom and shiny green foliage that lends year - round colour in the landscape . Blooms occur in shades of white , pink , or red , in single or threefold forms . expend this broadleaf evergreen shrub in a forest landscape painting , foundation planting , or shrub border . Learn camellias .
Photo : HansLinde / Pixabay
CROCUS (Crocusspp.)
Zones:3 - 8Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright overspread habitHeight / Spread:3 to 6 inch tall and wideBloom time : Fall to spring
Crocus flowers are a quintessential sign of spring , though some species will flower in gloaming or winter . small-scale cup - shaped flowers come in a range of colors , from white to deep purple . Naturalize crocus underneath witch hazel or paperbark maple , or in a woodland setting in combination with Anemone quinquefolia and other early lightbulb . Crocus bulbs demand an extensive period of chilling so as to flower , so plant bulbs in the fall . study to grow crocus .
Photo : max777 / Shutterstock
HARDY CYCLAMEN (Cyclamen coumand spp.)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : fond sunshine to full shadeHabit : Low ground - cover habitHeight / Spread:3 to 6 inches tall , 4 to 12 in wideBloom time : Fall to other spring , bet on the diversity
Though Persian cyclamen ( Cyclamen persicum ) is commonly grow as a houseplant , fearless cyclamen metal money can survive out of doors class - orotund . This bulgy plant grown from humble corms start dormant in summer . Foliage occurs in green or motley pattern , with white or pink flowers occurring from fall into early fountain , depend on the variety . Naturalize in a timber border , rock garden , or industrial plant in containers . Learn to acquire cyclamen .
Arctic Fire ® Red cherry - osier dogwood . Photo : Proven Winners
RED OSIER DOGWOOD Arctic Fire® (Cornus sericeasyn.C. stolonifera)
Zones:2 - 7Exposure : Full sun to fond sunHabit : Upright stocky habitHeight / Spread:3 to 5 foot tall and wideBloom prison term : Spring
scarlet branchlet dogwood have multi - seasonal interest , but it ’s in winter that this deciduous shrub really shine . The unsloped branches sprain brilliant red , orange , red coral , or yellow during colder months , lighting up the wintertime landscape . Arctic Fire ® cerise osier dogwood has brilliant red stalk and a compact habit suitable for small thousand . Grow in a winter garden or fundament planting . The colored stems can be switch off for vacation decor . memorize red osier dogwood .
Pictured : Arctic Fire ® Red cherry-red - osier dogwoodfrom Proven Winners .
voiced Serve ® Gold false cypress tree . photograph : Proven Winners
FALSE CYPRESS Soft Serve® Gold (Chamaecyparis pisifera)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright pyramidal habitHeight / Spread:6 to 10 feet tall and wideBloom time : Grown for the foliation
The favorable foliage of Soft Serve ® assumed cypress tree brighten up the wintertime landscape , while the pyramidal shape provide interesting social structure . This nigh maintenance - free conifer add together year - round colour to sundry delimitation and foundation plantings . Combine with flushed twig dogwood tree , beldam hazel , and early - flowering bulbs for compelling contrast . get word to grow false cypress tree .
envision : Soft service ® Gold false cypressfrom Proven Winners .
hymeneals Party ® True Love hellebore . picture : Proven achiever
HELLEBORE (Helleborusspp.)
Zones:4 - 9Exposure : Full Dominicus to fond shadeHabit : Upright spreading habitHeight / Spread:1 to 4 feet magniloquent , 1 to 3 ft wideBloom meter : Winter to spring
Hellebore is one of the most preferred winter efflorescence , with cup - shaped efflorescence in a wide range of colour and patterns . The attractive deeply lob foliage remains evergreen in most growing zones for multi - seasonal appeal . Mass along a rock wall or side where the downwardly - face bloom can be enjoyed up tight , or naturalize in a woodland molding . see hellebores .
Pictured : Wedding Party ® True Love helleborefrom Proven Winners .
Strongbox ® inkberry holly . Photo : Proven Winners
INKBERRY HOLLY Strongbox® (Ilex glabra)
Zones:5 - 9Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to partial shadeHabit : low-spirited mounding habitHeight / Spread:2 to 3 feet tall and wideBloom time : Spring
Inkberry holly ( Ilex glabra ) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that bring out belittled oval light-green leaves , make year - round structure and fine grain in the landscape . Plants are resistant to wintertime equipment casualty , throw this a sound substitute for boxwood in cold climates . Use to edge pathways , as gloomy hedging , in mass plantings or shrub borders . find out holly .
Pictured : Strongbox ® inkberry hollyfrom Proven Winners .
Interstella ® Japanese pieris . photograph : Proven Winners
JAPANESE PIERIS (Pieris japonica)
Zones:4 - 8Exposure : mottled sun to fond shadeHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 12 invertebrate foot improbable , 3 to 8 feet wide , depending on varietyBloom time : Late winter to early outflow
Also lie with as andromeda , this broadleaf evergreen shrub has greenish or motley foliage , bronze - red newfangled ontogeny , and cascade cluster of fragrant white or pinkish bell - shaped flowers in late winter and early springiness . Use this slowly - growing Japanese native in shrub margin , foundation planting , and woodland preferences for year - rung appeal . midget variety show are worthy for container and humble spaces . Learn Japanese pieris .
Pictured : Interstella ® Japanese pierisfrom Proven Winners .
' Carsten ’s Wintergold ' mugo pine . Photo : DarynaShpak / Shutterstock
MUGO PINE ‘Carsten’s Wintergold’ (Pinus mugo’Carsten’s Wintergold’)
Zones:2 - 7Exposure : Full sunHabit : Dwarf mound habitHeight / Spread:1 to 2 feet tall and wideBloom fourth dimension : Grown for foliage
Pinus mugo‘Carsten ’s Wintergold ’ is a midget evergreen plant conifer with long green needles that turn vivid Au in colder temperatures to brighten up the winter landscape . Also known as nanus mess true pine , this slow grower is suitable for small spaces , containers , mass plantings , and rock music gardens .
Paperbark maple . Photo : Chris Lawrence Travel / Shutterstock
PAPERBARK MAPLE (Acer griseum)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full sunshine to partial shadeHabit : Upright open habitHeight / Spread:20 to 30 pes tall , 15 to 25 feet wideBloom fourth dimension : Spring
Paperbark maple is an ornamental shade Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree with an elegant spreading canopy and peeling cinnamon - red barque that creates winter interest in the landscape painting . Lobed grim - green foliage turns brilliant orange - red in drop . Use this little deciduous tree as a focal point in a mixed border or wintertime landscape painting . Underplant with small early bulbs such as snowdrop , crocus , and Cyclamen purpurascens .
Photo : Christiane / Pixabay
SNOWDROPS (Galanthusspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to partial shadeHabit : vertical spreading habitHeight / Spread:4 to 12 inches tall , 3 to 6 inches wideBloom metre : Fall to early spring , calculate on the coinage
The delicate flowers of snowdrops are a quintessential sign that spring is not far away . This petite recurrent bulb bring forth snowy white single or double blooms with flank - corresponding flower petal , some with fleeceable or amber markings . Mass snowdrops in a woodland perimeter , rock garden , or winter landscape painting underneath deciduous trees and shrubs where they will naturalize to form colonies . Learn snowdrops .
Sweet & Lo ™ seraphic box seat . Photo : Proven achiever
SWEET BOX (Sarcococca hookerinanavar.humilis)
Zones:6 - 9Exposure : Partial sun to full shadeHabit : Upright shaggy-coated habitHeight / Spread:1 to 6 ft marvellous , 2 to 6 feet wideBloom meter : Mid - winter to early give
For winter fragrance , few plants rival the intensely scented flowers of mellifluous box . This broadleaf evergreen shrub produce bunch of white ribbon - like flowers from mid - winter to early spring , which are follow by bright red or black berries . shiny dark green leafage remains attractive year - pear-shaped . Plant this carefree shrub near a home incoming where the intoxicating honeyed scent can be most enjoyed . Use in foundation plantings or as hedging . Sweet box is tolerant of dry shade .
Pictured : Sweet & Lo ™ odoriferous boxfrom Proven Winners .
Photo : Harold Leuder / Shutterstock
WINTER ACONITE (Eranthis hyemalis)
Zones:3 - 7Exposure : Full sun to fond shadeHabit : Low propagate habitHeight / Spread:3 to 6 inches tall and wideBloom time : Late winter to early outflow
Winter aconite ( Eranthis hyemalis ) is a hardy bulb-shaped perennial with small oval leaves and upbeat yellow cup - shaped peak that resemble butter-flower . This tough ground cover emerges before other crocus , often pushing through coke cover song . domesticate this woodland European native underneath deciduous trees and shrubs such as winter - blooming genus Viburnum , hag hazel tree , or paperbark maple . Plants go hibernating in late spring .
photograph : Marjancermelj / Dreamstime
WINTER HEATH (Erica carnea)
Zones:5 - 8Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Upright spreading habitHeight / Spread:4 to 12 column inch marvelous , 1 to 2 foot wideBloom clip : Mid - winter to early spring
This broadleaf evergreen shrub bring forth dumb bunch of bell - mold flowers along the branch in sunglasses of white-hot , pinkish , or lavender . Plants are low growing , and will fan out to form a dense carpet . The phonograph needle - similar foliage remain attractive yr - circular . Naturalize in a stone garden , wintertime landscape , or miscellaneous border .
Photo : Freyja - lensman / Shutterstock
WINTER JASMINE (Jasmine nudiflorum)
Zones:6 - 10Exposure : Full sun to partial shadeHabit : Vining or spreading habitHeight / Spread:4 to 15 feet tall , 3 to 6 feet wideBloom time : Late wintertime to early spring
wintertime jasmine ( Jasminum nudiflorum ) is a deciduous shrub with a sprawling or vining habit , thin willowy stems , and bright icteric champion - shaped flowers that appear in late winter . flora will develop up to 4 feet magniloquent when grown as a shrub , or up to 15 feet grandiloquent when trained as a vine on a erect funding . Though the efflorescence are not fragrant like many other jasmine , the upbeat wintertime showing makes up for this . Add winter jasmine to a courtyard , or mass along a slope where it can be allowed to cascade down .
Berry Poppins ® bearberry holly . Photo : Proven Winners
WINTERBERRY HOLLY Berry Poppins® (Ilex verticillata)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Lord’s Day to partial shadeHabit : Upright bushy habitHeight / Spread:3 to 4 animal foot improbable and wideBloom clock time : Late spring to former summertime
This unfearing deciduous shrub is mature principally for the shiny red berries that light up the wintertime landscape . The nanus substance abuse of Berry Poppins ® is suited for pocket-sized spaces and urban yard . Female plants necessitate a male pollinator such as Mr. Poppins ® to formulate the showy red berries . manful plants do not produce fruit . flora in a motley border , winter landscape painting , or use as hedging . watch more ongrowing holly George H.W. Bush .
Pictured : Berry Poppins ® possum haw hollyfrom Proven Winners .
Hamamelis ×intermedia ' Orange Beauty ' . Photo by : Janet Loughrey .
WITCH HAZEL (Hamamelisspp.)
Zones:3 - 9Exposure : Full Dominicus to partial shadeHabit : Uprignt spreading or vase - determine habitHeight / Spread:10 to 20 feet improbable and wideBloom metre : Fall to former springtime , depend on the coinage
crone hazel ( Hamamelis ) is one of the safe winter - flower plant life , thrive in most growing zona . This medium - sized deciduous shrub or belittled tree produces spidery medallion - like flowers from gloam to early spring , calculate on the species . Some motley are fragrant , with flowers occur in shades of red , orange , atomic number 79 , or jaundiced . The serrated greenish leaves turn bright shades of yellow , orangish , or reddened in fall . Plant in a woodland borderline alongside hellebore and early bulb . teach more ongrowing witch hazel .
