As the gardening season winds down and the landscape settles into its quiet winter rest, it’s easy to think the show is over. But winter doesn’t have to mean dull or colorless. With a little planning, your garden can stay vibrant, textural, and full of life even in the coldest months. By choosing plants with unique bark, evergreen structure, colorful stems, berries, or winter blooms, you can create a landscape that shines all year long, especially when the world outside feels still and serene.
Whether you’re sketching out next year’s garden plans or looking to add a few standout additions, here are some of the best plants for winter interest and how to incorporate them thoughtfully.
1. Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Bold and unmistakable against snow or bare ground, red twig dogwood brings fiery color to the winter landscape.
Why it’s great: Vivid red stems that glow in low winter light.
How to plan it: Plant in groupings for maximum effect. Red twig dogwoods shine along borders, in mixed shrub beds, or near evergreens where their color pops.
2. Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
This native deciduous holly loses its leaves but holds onto clusters of bright red berries that persist all winter.
Why it’s great: Birds love the berries, and the color is outstanding.
How to plan it: Be sure to include both male and female plants for good berry production. Use in foundation plantings, borders, or alongside evergreen backdrops.
3. Ornamental Grasses
Even when dried, grasses add lovely movement and structure to the winter garden.
Why they’re great: Delicate seed heads catch frost beautifully.
How to plan them: Leave grasses standing through winter for texture and habitat. Mix tall varieties like switchgrass with shorter ones like little bluestem for layered interest.
4. Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis)
Often called Lenten roses, hellebores are among the earliest bloomers—sometimes pushing up flowers through snow.
Why they’re great: Early color, evergreen foliage, long-lasting blooms.
How to plan them: Place near walkways, entryways, or shade gardens where their winter-into-spring flowers can be appreciated up close.
5. Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum)
This small ornamental tree is a showstopper with its cinnamon-colored, peeling bark.
Why it’s great: Four-season interest with a standout winter appearance.
How to plan it: Use as a specimen tree or anchor in a mixed perennial/shrub bed. Great for smaller yards.
6. Evergreens (Spruce, Pine, Fir, Arborvitae)
The backbone of winter interest, evergreens provide structure, color, and fullness when everything else has gone dormant.
Why they’re great: Year-round presence, diverse shapes, and shades of green, blue, and gold.
How to plan them: Incorporate a mix of heights and textures. Use them to frame views, define spaces, or serve as a backdrop for more colorful winter plants.
7. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis spp.)
One of the few shrubs that bloom in the dead of winter, witch hazel unfurls ribbon-like flowers in yellow, orange, or red.
Why it’s great: Fragrant winter blooms and bold fall foliage.
How to plan it: Plant where you can enjoy the scent—in front yards, along paths, or near entryways.
Tips for Incorporating Winter Interest into Your Garden
Create structure first
Think in terms of bones: evergreens, small trees, and shrubs provide the foundation. These elements keep your garden looking intentional even when herbaceous plants have died back.
Layer textures and colors
Contrast smooth evergreens with the bold stems of dogwoods or the fine movement of grasses. Winter interest often comes from subtle variations in form, not just color.
Plan for four seasons, not just one
As you design next year’s beds, consider what each plant contributes in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Plants with multi-season appeal earn their space in the garden.
Think about sightlines
Place winter-interest plants where they can be seen from the windows you use most. A winterberry in view from your kitchen or a paperbark maple glowing near your front walk makes a big difference in the darker months.
Leave some things standing
Resist the urge to cut everything down in fall. Seed heads, stems, and dried flowers provide winter beauty and habitat for birds and beneficial insects.
Bringing Winter to Life
Winter gardens don’t rely on lush blooms... they shine through contrast, structure, and resilience. By planning ahead and choosing plants that offer beauty in the colder months, you can enjoy a landscape that stays engaging and inspiring all year long. As you map out your garden for next season, consider adding a few of these winter stars. They’ll bring color, form, and life to the quietest time of year and give you something beautiful to enjoy even when the garden is resting.
