10 Winter-Ready Plants to Keep Your Outdoor Space Colorful
Just because winter is here doesn’t mean your garden has to look bare and lifeless.
With the right selection of winter plants, you can create an outdoor space that's full of color, texture, and beauty, even during the coldest months.
These 10 winter plants are perfect for adding life to your outdoor garden, from hardy evergreens to stunning blooms that can handle the chill.
From frost-resistant blooms to sturdy shrubs, each of these plants thrives in winter conditions, ensuring your outdoor space remains a beautiful extension of your home, no matter the temperature.
Thread-Branch Cypress
Thread-Branch Cypress stands out with its golden-yellow, thread-like foliage that weeps gracefully downward. The unique form adds a whimsical touch to landscapes, making it suitable for both containers and garden beds.
Growing up to 6 to 8 feet tall when planted in the ground, it brings a sense of movement and color to your outdoor space. You’ll appreciate how it brightens up even the dullest corners with its eye-catching appearance.
Winter Gem Boxwood
Winter Gem Boxwood changes with the seasons, displaying a golden-bronze hue in winter before returning to a bright green in spring. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, this plant maintains its shape and color, offering year-round beauty.
You’ll find it a versatile choice for hedges, borders, or as a standalone accent, blending seamlessly with various garden styles. Its hardy nature ensures a fresh look through all seasons.
English Boxwood
English Boxwood grows slowly, reaching about 2 feet in height and width, making it perfect for compact spaces. The yellow-green foliage adds a touch of classic charm, especially when used for traditional garden designs or low borders.
Requiring regular watering and full sun for optimal growth, it rewards you with a lush, dense appearance. This boxwood’s timeless look brings a refined elegance to any setting.
Boxwood Hedge
Boxwood Hedge serves as an excellent choice for defining boundaries or framing walkways. This sun-loving plant develops a dense, uniform structure that lends itself well to shaping and trimming.
The deep green foliage stays vibrant year-round, providing a natural backdrop that enhances garden beds or entryways. Its low-maintenance nature and adaptability make it a practical option for both formal and casual landscapes.
Ligustrum
Ligustrum brings a touch of the exotic with its glossy evergreen leaves, thriving in full sun to partial shade. Native to Japan, this adaptable plant grows well in various soil types, making it easy to incorporate into different garden settings.
Its dense foliage works well for privacy screens or hedges, while the delicate white flowers add a subtle fragrance. You’ll appreciate how it contributes both beauty and functionality to your outdoor space.
Brown’s Yew
Brown's Yew offers a slow-growing, evergreen option for shaded or sunny garden spots. The deep green needles maintain their color all year, creating a consistent look that works well for hedges, foundation plantings, or topiary designs.
Requiring regular watering, this yew adapts to different light conditions, making it a versatile choice for diverse landscapes. The plant’s resilience adds structure and texture to any garden plan.
Cypress Topiary
Cypress Topiary brings a touch of formal elegance with its sculpted shapes, thriving best with morning sun and afternoon shade. The bright green foliage maintains a neat appearance, making it ideal for entryways or garden focal points.
Proper watering and good drainage keep this topiary looking fresh and healthy. Its structured form adds sophistication, enhancing your outdoor spaces with a refined, artistic touch.
Japanese Yew
Japanese Yew stands out with its ability to tolerate drought and adapt to various light settings, from full sun to partial shade. The dark green foliage adds depth to garden designs, while its slow growth allows for easy maintenance.
This versatile plant serves well as a foundation shrub, privacy screen, or even as a topiary centerpiece. You’ll appreciate its ability to thrive in diverse environments while adding timeless beauty to your landscape.
Potted Blue Spruce
Potted Blue Spruce evokes the classic charm of Christmas trees, featuring striking blue-green needles that catch the eye. Requiring full sunlight and plenty of water with good drainage, it grows well in containers or as a landscape feature.
The strong, pyramidal shape makes it a standout choice for holiday decorations or year-round garden interest. Its bold color and texture add depth to your plant collection, offering a touch of the wild outdoors.
Wheeler’s Dwarf Japanese Mock Orange
Wheeler's Dwarf Japanese Mock Orange enchants with its small, fragrant white flowers, which add a delightful scent to the air. Growing well in full sun to partial shade, this compact shrub serves as a lovely border plant or low hedge.
The dense foliage remains attractive throughout the year, blending nicely with various garden themes. You’ll enjoy its simple beauty and the hint of fragrance it brings to your landscape.