Do you want to bring life to your garden even in the harsh winters? Here are 11 of the Best Plants That Stay Green in Winters!
Usually, plants wither after the first touch of chilling winter winds, but there are some plants that don’t mind the harsh cold weather. These are Plants that Stay Green in Winters,and you must plant some of them to keep your garden attractive during winter and early spring.
Table of contents
1. Wintergreen Boxwood (Buxus sinica)
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Wintergreen boxwoods can be a great addition to your winter garden as they do not lose leaves in winters and can even survive under the snow blanket. You can grow these versatile broadleaf plants on hedges, patio, entryways, and garden borders that receive sufficient sunlight.
Growing Tip:
- Water the plant frequently in the growing phase.
- Pruning should be done in springs when the new growth appears.
2. Blue Spruce (Picea pungens)
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Colorado blue spruce is one of the best winter garden plants that look beautiful wrapped in snow. It presents a unique, silver blue-green color all year round and grows in a pyramidical shape. It’s a perfect conifer for large backyards and open landscapes. Apart from that, you can grow the dwarf form of blue spruce in small gardens, patios, and terraces.
Growing Tips:
- Blue spruce requires a large area and at least six hours of direct sunlight.
- Regular watering is needed when it’s young and establishing.
To know more about Blue Spruce’s growth and care, click here!
3. Evergreen Hollies (Ilex aquifolium)
Hardiness zones: 3-9
Hollies belong to the ilex genus of plants, from the family Aquifoliaceae that includes 480 evergreen and deciduous species, many of them having striking green leaves. You can grow a variety of holly trees for creating a hedge or can also use them as a barrier plant. If you are looking for plants that stay green in Winters, this is it!
Growing Tip:
- Evergreen hollies flourish well in full sunlight.
- Use a bit acidic, well-draining soil.
Note: All berries from the holly tree are toxic if consumed.
4. Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis)
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Also famously known as the lenten rose, hellebore is an ideal choice for winter garden, as it flowers in the darkest month of the year. The strong, deep growing root structure of hellebore helps this plant to survive in chilly winters, but keep in mind to protect it from harsh winter breeze.
Growing Tips:
- Hellebore needs well-draining, loamy soil.
- Bring it indoors during the hot months, to keep the plant safe from the harsh heat of summers.
5. Winter Daphne (Daphne odora)
Hardiness zones: 4-9
The winter daphne has yellow bordered leaves and rose-pink flower buds that blossoms in late winter and early spring in white scented flowers. You can grow this fragrant flowering plant on a patio or in a shade garden.
Growing Tips:
- Use slightly acidic, alkaline, humus-rich soil for growing winter daphne.
- It thrives well under the full sun; however, it also does well in partial shade.
6. Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica)
Hardiness zones: 5-8
Pieris japonica is a broad-leaved evergreen shrub that stays green during the entire winters. In spring, new foliage grows in red, turning dark green in winters. It starts to flower in late winter and early spring for 2-4 weeks and produces a bunch of copper-pink flowers, making it one of the best plants that stay green in winters.
Growing Tip:
- Keep the plant at a spot that is protected from sunlight and wind.
- Water the plant once a week sufficiently in summers and fall to secure it in winters. Cut off watering in early fall and continue until frost.
7. Honeywort (Cerinthe)
Hardiness zones: 7-10
Honeywort is also known as a blue shrimp plant, which is native to the Mediterranean region. It is drought-resistant, thriving on neglect. The leaves of honeywort plants become deep blue when the outside temperature gets colder.
Growing Tips:
- Grow honeywort plant in humus-rich, well-draining soil.
- In the beginning, these plants require slightly more water, though once mature, they can survive infrequent droughts.
8. Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens)
Hardiness zones: 3-8
Partridge berry is a low maintenance showy plant, ideal for your winter garden. It produces white fragrant flowers with attractive foliage and scarlet berries. You can grow them around ponds, under trees, or as a ground cover.
Growing Tips:
- It thrives well in both full and partial shade.
- Use well-draining, organically fertile, moist soil for growing this plant.
9. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Hardiness zones: 8-11
Sweet alyssum is a cool-season flower that can be grown during fall and winter in frost-free climates. It produces tiny fragrant flowers with black or red berries. Some of the varieties die out in the heat but flower again in the fall. If you are searching for plants that stay green in winters, you must pick this!
Growing Tips:
- Grow sweet alyssum in full or partial shade.
- It prefers loamy, fertile soil.
10. Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)
Hardiness zones: 2-5
Winter honeysuckle is an easy to grow, drought-tolerant plant that produces white flowers with citrus-like smell during winters. You can grow it as a barrier or background plant. Take care of the plant as it may get affected by thrips or aphids. It is one of the best plants that stay green in winter.
Growing Tips:
- Grow winter honeysuckle in well-draining, loamy soil.
- It grows best in full sunlight but tolerates partial shade as well.
11. ‘Emerald Green’ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
Hardiness zone: 2-7
Also known as ‘Smaragd’ in the Danish language (which means emerald), this cultivar was originally evolved in Denmark. It is a semi-dwarf variety, with a narrow pyramid structure that maintains the vibrant green color of its foliage in winters as well. You can grow this arborvitae variety as a barrier or hedge plant.
Growing Tips:
- It prefers well-draining loamy soil with pH 6-8.
- ‘Emerald’ arborvitae thrives in full sunlight but can survive in partial shade as well.
Don’t miss checking out shrubs that bloom in winters
As a seasoned horticulturist with a passion for cultivating vibrant gardens, I've spent years honing my expertise in plant varieties that thrive in diverse climates, including the challenging conditions of winter. My hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge make me well-equipped to guide you in selecting the best plants for a lively winter garden.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts introduced in the article about the "11 Best Plants That Stay Green in Winters":
-
Wintergreen Boxwood (Buxus sinica):
- Hardiness zones: 4-9
- Evergreen shrub that retains leaves throughout winter.
- Ideal for hedges, patio, entryways, and garden borders.
- Growing Tip: Requires frequent watering during the growing phase; prune in spring.
-
Blue Spruce (Picea pungens):
- Hardiness zones: 3-8
- Colorado blue spruce with silver blue-green color year-round.
- Suitable for large backyards or as a dwarf variety for small gardens.
- Growing Tips: Requires ample space and at least six hours of direct sunlight; regular watering when young.
-
Evergreen Hollies (Ilex aquifolium):
- Hardiness zones: 3-9
- A variety of holly trees for creating hedges or barrier plants.
- Flourishes well in full sunlight with slightly acidic, well-draining soil.
- Note: Holly berries are toxic if consumed.
-
Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis):
- Hardiness zones: 4-9
- Also known as Lenten rose, flowers in the darkest month.
- Deep-growing root structure helps survive chilly winters.
- Growing Tips: Requires well-draining, loamy soil; bring indoors during hot months.
-
Winter Daphne (Daphne odora):
- Hardiness zones: 4-9
- Fragrant flowering plant with yellow-bordered leaves.
- Thrives in slightly acidic, alkaline, humus-rich soil.
- Grows well in full sun or partial shade.
-
Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica):
- Hardiness zones: 5-8
- Broad-leaved evergreen shrub with red foliage in spring.
- Flowers in late winter and early spring, producing copper-pink flowers.
- Growing Tip: Protect from sunlight and wind; water sufficiently in summers.
-
Honeywort (Cerinthe):
- Hardiness zones: 7-10
- Drought-resistant plant native to the Mediterranean.
- Leaves turn deep blue in colder temperatures.
- Growing Tips: Thrives in humus-rich, well-draining soil; drought-resistant when mature.
-
Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens):
- Hardiness zones: 3-8
- Low-maintenance plant with showy white flowers and scarlet berries.
- Suitable for ponds, under trees, or as ground cover.
- Growing Tips: Thrives in both full and partial shade; prefers well-draining, fertile soil.
-
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima):
- Hardiness zones: 8-11
- Cool-season flower for fall and winter in frost-free climates.
- Tiny fragrant flowers with black or red berries.
- Growing Tips: Prefers loamy, fertile soil; grows in full or partial shade.
-
Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima):
- Hardiness zones: 2-5
- Drought-tolerant plant with white flowers and a citrus-like smell.
- Suitable as a barrier or background plant.
- Growing Tips: Thrives in well-draining, loamy soil; prefers full sunlight.
-
'Emerald Green' Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis):
- Hardiness zone: 2-7
- Semi-dwarf variety with a narrow pyramid structure.
- Maintains vibrant green color in winter; suitable as a barrier or hedge plant.
- Growing Tips: Prefers well-draining loamy soil with pH 6-8; thrives in full sunlight but tolerates partial shade.
These carefully selected plants offer a diverse range of options for maintaining a lively and green garden throughout the winter months. Whether you have a small patio or a spacious backyard, incorporating these plants can add beauty and vibrancy to your winter landscape.
