9 Shrubs that Bring Winter Interest to the Garden

Creating winter interest in the garden can be one of the most challenging tasks since purchases are made in the springtime. It takes willpower to hold back from buying what’s in bloom instead of what may be showy in the winter.

Winter has different definitions when it comes to different parts of the country. It ranges from not seeing the ground at all for several months to being able to garden year-round. This article will cover a variety of different plants, knowing what USDA zone you are located in will be key in knowing which recommendations will work.

Fantastic Colorful Foliage

This is one feature that stands the test of time. Colorful foliage looks good through all seasons. Being evergreen is an even bigger bonus. Planting evergreens such as Pines, Arborvitae, and Firs with needles that are not just green make them stand out in the garden.

	Golden Feather™ Arborvitae (Thuja plicata ‘Daniellow’ – Zone 5 to 8) is a rich, golden yellow specimen that brings light to dark spaces in the garden. It has a very tight, slim growth habit making it ideal for a living wall to create privacy.
	Actual evergreens are not the only thing that can bring color to your yard during the frosty months. Check out the variegated foliage of Smothering White™ Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica ‘Fire N Ice’ – Zone 5 to 9). The leaves are cream and green variegated with new growth emerging red and white. Then in spring, you’ll receive an eye-catching show of pendulous white flowers.

For those in southern and western climates, try Coastal Inferno™ Coprosma (C. repens ‘Inferno’ – Zone 9 to 11). This variety packs a punch with colors that makes one think of a volcano erupting. It’s glossy, vibrant variegated foliage holds on throughout the winter months and adds much needed color on a dreary winter day.
Painted Star ™ Rosemary (Westringia ‘Gem Variegated’ – Zones 9 to 10) created quite the buzz on its arrival to garden centers. This gorgeous rosemary has two-toned leaves of cream and green while in summer it’s covered in light blue flowers. Plus this herb, which is actually a part of the mint family, perks up the garden in the winter with its permanent foliage.
Or maybe maroon, evergreen leaves and firework-like, pink flowers in early spring will do the trick? Try Plum Cutie™ Loropetalum (L. chinense var. rubrum ‘PIILC-III’ – Zone 7 to 9). This beauty offers year-round dark, maroon foliage that is drought tolerant and isn’t a favorite of deer. It stays compact only reaching 18” high and spreads nicely into a mound.

Gorgeous Fruit Set

An absolute favorite for the winter months is Symporicarpos or commonly referred to as Snowberry. Its fruit is often used in flower arrangements much like Hypericum and the berries make winter landscapes bright and colorful.

	Pink Dots™ Snowberry (S. doorenbosii ‘KOLMAJO’ – Zone 4 to 7) has blushed pink berries that cover each stem. It’s a wonderful addition for drawing birds into your garden for viewing and feeding when they need assistance in the cold. Ideal compact shape (2.5 to 3’ high by 3’ wide) makes it a perfect fit in smaller landscapes.
	Its sister Pearl Wave Dots™ Snowberry is equally as beautiful with white, vibrant fruit that pops in the winter landscape.

Dried Flowers

Often during fall cleanup many gardeners remove spent flowers. However, leaving some dried flower blooms in place adds texture and movement to the garden. Instead of removing the spent flowers of genera like Hydrangeas or Butterfly Bushes keep them a bit longer. Some gardeners even spray paint them. However, the natural dried coloration is gorgeous as well.

Try planting Sweet ‘N Salsa™ Hydrangea (H. macrophylla ‘Sweet ‘N Salsa’ – Zones 5 to 9) for gorgeous, bicolor blooms of pink and white during the summer and dried flowers during the winter. Its flower color is very unique and one-of-a-kind; a great gift for any collector.
With regards to Butterfly Bush (Buddleia), try one from the Sweet Nectar Bush Temptations™ collection. One favorite is Apricot Grand™ (Buddleia ‘Podaras #2 – Zone 5 to 10) with its continuous, bright apricot blooms from early summer until frost. However, it needs plenty room to grow as it’s in the “Grands” collection reaching 6 to 8’ tall.

Having a beautiful and colorful winter garden can be done with planning in the spring. It’s helpful to photograph the garden during all four seasons and to make notes in a gardening notebook about what areas are lacking color or texture during different seasons. This helps to modify your spring shopping list and know what to be looking for to add the most bang for your buck to your home garden oasis instead of simply buying on impulse.