You may think that once winter sets in your garden is going to be barren and bare. But it doesn’t have to be.
There are plenty of plants that can brave the cold and will still bring you color and life to your garden even during the winter. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who appreciate those plants that hang on through the cold. It keeps my garden cheerful even when the weather is gloomy.
So let’s take a look at 15 plants that will not only survive but thrive through those harsh winter months. They should give you some inspiration to keep your garden interesting during the cold season.
1. Winterberry Holly
Growing Winterberry Holly
Winterberry Holly is a deciduous holly that loses its leaves in winter and reveals bright red berries. During those cold months they will add some much needed color to your garden. And the berries also attract birds which at a time when most wildlife is either hibernating or migrated is a welcome sight.
What You Need
Soil: Moist, acidic soil
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Regular watering, especially in dry spells
Winterberry Holly is pretty low maintenance too. To make sure you get the berries plant both the make and female plants. You can also prune in the later part of winter as it will encourage new growth and keep the plant in good shape.
2. Hellebore
Growing Hellebores
Hellebores are also known as Christmas or Lenten roses because they bloom in winter or early spring. They are perennials and come in various shades, from purple to white, and have beautiful flowers that look like they’re nodding.
What You Need
Soil: Rich, well drained soil
Light: Partial to full shade
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
Hellebores are easy to grow and are popular because they don’t need much in the way of care once they’re established. If you want you can mulch them as it will help the soil keep it’s moisture and the roots will stay cool.
3. Snowdrop
Growing Snowdrops
Snowdrops are one of the first signs of spring and probably my favorite. When it’s snowing you’ll often see them poking through, their delicate white flowers one of the few bits of life left. And after a long winter it’s joy to see them pop up.
What You Need
Soil: Well drained soil, rich in organic matter
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Moderate watering, avoid waterlogging
If you want snowdrops in the winter then plant them in the fall. They naturalize well too and as they grow in groups they can be divided once they’ve bloomed.
4. Winter Aconite
Growing Winter Aconite
Winter Aconite have bright yellow flowers that look like buttercups. They come out as early as January and as the end of winter sets in you get a carpet of bright and cheerful color from them.
What You Need
Soil: Moist, well drained soil
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Regular watering, especially during dry periods
Winter Aconites are best planted in the fall. They like the soil to be moist and cool so if you can then adding a layer of mulch will help.
5. Camellia
Growing Camellias
Camellias bloom through the fall until early spring. They have gorgeous flowers and come in a variety of shades including white, red and pink.
What You Need
Soil: Acidic, well drained soil
Light: Partial shade
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist
Camellias like sheltered spots away from cold winds. The roots don’t like extreme temperatures so mulching will protect them as well as keeping moisture in the soil.
There are plants and flowers Camellia shouldn’t be planted with too. Use this guide to see which to avoid.
6. Pansies
Growing Pansies
Pansies are one of the most popular winter annuals. Coming in loads of colors they brighten up a dull and dreary winter garden.
What You Need
Soil: Well drained soil
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Regular watering, avoid waterlogged soil
Pansies are easy to grow from seed or transplants. If you want them to continue blooming then deadhead the flowers.
Avoid planting these plants and flowers with pansies though.
7. Evergreen Ferns
Growing Evergreen Ferns
A little different to flowers, evergreen ferns like Chinese fern grow in shaded areas and keep their foliage all winter. So while they aren’t going to liven your garden up with colorful blooms they will keep it looking interesting.
What You Need
Soil: Moist, well drained soil rich in organic matter
Light: Full to partial shade
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist
You don’t have to do much to maintain evergreen ferns. A little much will help to improve the quality of the soil but even that isn’t necessary.
8. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Growing English Ivy
Another evergreen fern, English ivy is versatile in that it can cover walls, fences and the ground. If you’re garden is a bit boring then English ivy will make it more interesting as it stays green throughout the whole of winter.
What You Need
Soil: Moist, well drained soil
Light: Full sun to full shade
Watering: Moderate watering
English Ivy can be invasive. Very invasive! In the past I let it completely take over my garden and it was so hard to get rid of. So if you are going to plant it it’s important to trim it regularly to keep it under control. And it doesn’t matter about sun or shade, it will grow in basically any conditions.
9. Boxwood
Growing Boxwood
Boxwood is a classic evergreen shrub. It’s often used as a hedge or just as an interesting bush because like many other evergreen shrubs it grows throughout the winter.
What You Need
Soil: Well drained soil
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Regular watering, especially during dry periods
Boxwoods are don’t need much in the way of maintenance. If you can then prune them in the late winter as it will encourage new growth and helps keep their natural shape.
10. Heuchera
Growing Heuchera
Heuchera, or Coral Bells as they’re also known, come in so many different colors. Their leaves range from green to burgundy that you can’t miss. And having evergreen foliage means all year round they are adding interest to your garden.
What You Need
Soil: Well drained soil rich in organic matter
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Regular watering, avoid waterlogged soil
Heucheras are easy to grow and don’t need any major care. They can be divided every few years as it will help them to stay strong.
11. Lenten Rose
Growing Lenten Rose
Lenten Roses are similar to Hellebores. They bloom in the late winter to early spring and have an abundance of colorful flowers. This is especially good when you have very little else flowering in your garden.
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What You Need
Soil: Well drained, rich in organic matter
Light: Partial to full shade
Watering: Consistent moisture
Once they’re established Lenten Roses are very easy to care for. Mulching can help with the soil temperature and moisture.
12. Mahonia (Oregon Grape)
Growing Mahonia
Another evergreen shrub, Mahonia has spiky leaves and bright yellow flowers that bloom in the winter. They also grow black berries after the flowers have bloomed.
What You Need
Soil: Well drained, acidic soil
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Moderate watering
Mahonia is low maintenance. If you want it to keep its shape then prune it after it has flowered.
13. Winter Jasmine
Growing Winter Jasmine
Winter Jasmine is a deciduous shrub. It will give you bright yellow flowers in the winter that grow on bare stems.
What You Need
Soil: Well drained soil
Light: Full sun
Watering: Regular watering, especially in dry periods
Winter Jasmine is easy to grow. It can also be trained on a trellis or left to grow as ground cover. Keep its shape by pruning after it has flowered.
14. Japanese Pieris
Growing Japanese Pieris
Japanese Pieris is another evergreen shrub. It had white or pink flowers that bloom in late water through to early spring.
What You Need
Soil: Acidic, well drained soil
Light: Partial shade
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist
Japanese Pieris doesn’t like strong winds so should be grown somewhere sheltered. And give it some mulch to keep it’s soil moist.
15. Heather
Growing Heather
Heather is a low growing evergreen shrub that blooms in the winter. It has small flowers that come in shades of pink, purple and white and are really very pretty.
What You Need
Soil: Acidic, well drained soil
Light: Full sun
Watering: Moderate watering
Heather is easy to look after and doesn’t need much. Pruning it often will keep it in good shape and help with new growth. And you’ll get a nice amount of color in your garden throughout the winter.
Tips for Winter Gardening
Mulching
Mulch helps protect plant roots from the freezing temperatures in the winter. It also keeps the soil moist. So apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of your plants in the late fall.
Watering
You might think of winter as being wet but it can actually be surprisingly dry. So it’s important to water your plants during any dry spells. Be careful not to overwater though as you might end up with root rot.
Pruning
Pruning is really about encouraging new growth from your plants and shaping them. When you do prune also remove any dead or damaged branches as it will help to keep your plants healthy.
Planting in Sheltered Spots
If you get strong and harsh winds and very cold temperatures in your garden then choosing sheltered spots is a good idea. Try planting against fences or walls to protect whatever plants or shrubs it is you want to grow.
Using Evergreen Plants
Evergreen plants are going to flower or grow all year, so make a good choice for any garden. You’ll get a backdrop for any seasonal flowers with evergreen plants.
Choosing Hardy Varieties
Picking plants that are hardy in your specific climate zone is really important. Why? Because they have a better chance of surviving and thriving in your winter conditions.
Regular Maintenance
You should try to maintain whatever you’re growing on a regular basis as it will stop pests and diseases. So remove any dead leaves and odd debris that’s hanging around. And keep a close eye on your plants so you can take action quickly if you notice something wrong.
Final Thoughts
Winter gardening doesn’t have to be a challenge. You can keep color and life in your garden even during the winter months without too much trouble.
The 15 plants found here are a great starting point and can give you the color and interest you want in your garden throughout the winter.
