While winter is often associated with the plain whites of snow, your backyard can remain vibrant and captivating. It all hinges on the plants, blossoms, and trees you select. Each element introduces color, texture, and structure to the space, ultimately turning it into a magical haven. This article explores popular varieties that can withstand the chilly weather and enhance landscapes.
Best Outdoor Plants for Winter
Evergreen shrubs and bushes are staples in winter landscaping. They’re resilient against the cold, low-maintenance, and available in numerous shapes and sizes. The most common varieties include:
- Boxwood: This classic shrub has dense green foliage that always looks fresh and vibrant, even under a layer of snow. It’s perfect as hedges, border plants, and standalone accents. It’s also resistant to typical boxwood pests.
- Daphne: This deciduous bush sprouts little white and light pink flowers that bloom in late water through spring. Although it takes years to grow into full size, its generally petite form makes it ideal for yards on smaller lots.
- Winter Jasmine: This vine-like shrub sprouts yellow star-shaped flowers in the cold season. They are perfect for adding cheer to a dreary environment.
- Witch Hazel: This medium-sized shrub has spidery, ribbon-like blossoms from fall to early spring. Its flowers and serrated green foliage turn attractive red, orange, yellow, and gold shades.
Aesthetic Winter Flowers
Even in the frostiest months, some blossoms can bring life to your garden and brighten your days. Here are some excellent choices:
- Hellebores: Also called “Lenten roses” or “Christmas roses,” these hardy perennials thrive in the cold and bloom from late winter to early spring. Their delicate white, pink, and purple cup-shaped blossoms contrast their tough, leathery leaves. Their longevity, robustness, and dynamic colors make them a mainstay in wintry backyards.
- Pansies: These compact, edible flowers come in various colors and have heart-shaped leaves. They can withstand frost and light snow and are best placed in garden beds and containers.
- Lily of the Valley: This flower can survive harsh winters despite its dainty appearance. It appears as clusters of fragrant white blooms in the shape of tiny bells on arching stems accompanied by broad, glossy green foliage. Its roots and rhizomes are well-adapted to cold climates, so it can also function as a ground cover in shaded areas.
- Snowdrops: These perennials are little, drooping white blossoms with slender green leaves. They emerge through snow and frost, signaling the approach of spring.
Striking Grasses for Winter Appeal
Ornamental grasses are fantastic landscaping elements that add texture and movement to your outdoor space. Here are some popular choices:
- Blue Grama Grass: Native to North America, this prairie grass has distinct seed heads that resemble little combs or eyelashes. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in meadow-like conditions.
- Feather Reed Grass: This versatile, low-maintenance grass has feathery plumes on upright stalks. They create an ethereal effect when swaying gracefully to the breeze or dusted with frost.
- Japanese Sedge: Also called “Evergold,” this ornamental grass has arching foliage that draws attention in wintry gardens. Each narrow leaf is creamy or light yellow and outlined in dark green.
- Moor Grass: This variety has thread-like leaves that arch and delicate flower spikes. Its foliage turns from bright green to brownish purple and golden shades, adding diverse colors to winter gardens.
Lush Evergreens for Winter
Evergreens are the best trees for maintaining structure during the frosty season. Classic options include:
- Eastern White Pine: These ornamental trees have long, blue-green needles that sprout in clusters. Their barks are smooth even when mature, perfect for Christmas trees and accent pieces in wintry landscapes.
- Blue Spruce: This winter-resilient tree has individual needles with a more evidently blue hue and a pyramidal shape. Besides being a picturesque focal point, it also functions as a windbreak, noise barrier, and privacy screen in yards.
- Cedar: This tree has luxuriant, aromatic foliage that brings a sense of elegance and festiveness to winter gardens. When planting these trees, ensure ample spacing in between to enable mature growth and proper air circulation.
Winter-Resilient Fruit-Bearing Trees
Choose trees that bear fruit in winter for an extra splash of color and minimal wildlife activity.
- American Holly: This tree’s glossy dark green leaves and bright crimson berries make it a must-have in wintry landscaping. Their striking colors make winter gardens look more festive, while their berries attract birds searching for food.
- Crabapple: This tree bears small red and yellow fruits that stay on branches throughout winter. These jewel-like fruits serve as landscape ornaments and valuable treats for finches, cardinals, and other birds.
- Hawthorn: Especially prized for its hardiness, this tree features thorny branches and attractive bark. They produce small red and orange fruits, often called “haws,” which are excellent food sources for birds and small mammals.
Create a Winter Wonderland Right Outside Your Doorstep
Winter landscapes don’t have to be bleak or boring. All it takes to keep it lively and enchanting is thoughtful planning over your greeneries. To learn more about the best outdoor plants for winter, don’t hesitate to contact trusted landscaping professionals. They can provide the information you need and personalized guidance on designing and managing your yard this frosty season.