Surprise! Winter may seem like a time of garden dormancy, but that’s not entirely accurate. While some plants prefer warm temperatures, others appreciate the cold — even in Ohio, where December through February can be chilly at best.
If you’re tired of looking outside on a frosty morning and seeing nothing but gray and white, it’s time to choose plants for winter. With just a little bit of gardening prep in the fall, you can make sure your yard is overflowing with plants for winter that will perk up your spirits and put you in a sunshiny mood.
What types of plants are well-suited to handling frosty days and a bare minimum of natural light? We’ve picked an assortment of choices that have become favorites for families across our communities. Get ready to mix and match the ones that will help you bring out the personality and character of your yard, as well as the inhabitants of your home.
Forget about the crazy name. This brilliantly colored plant is better known as winter-flowering heather. Its calling card is a vibrant hue of purple or pink. Having calluna vulgaris in your garden bed ensures that you’re never without a pop of drama. When well-tended, it can come back again and again to bring you joy.
Here’s another funny moniker you’ll want to put on your list. A succulent, hens, and chicks offer visual appeal due to its swirling pink and green buds. You can feel free to plant hens and chicks in the ground during autumn. Alternatively, you may want to place these plants in pots for winter and strategically situate them around your patio or porch area.
Though it might seem like arborvitae shrubs are rather run-of-the-mill, they can add to your property’s curb appeal during winter. You’ll find that their bold green needles complement the other colorful winter plants you’ve chosen. Additionally, certain arborvitae types require minimal pruning, which is a huge selling point for busy gardeners.
Boxwood is another cold-weather winner, specifically the variegated kind. Although any boxwood will bring a fresh scent and classic good looks to your lawn, variegated boxwood provides a dash of sophistication thanks to its multi-toned leaves.
You probably think of cabbage as a rather simple food ingredient. But when ornamental cabbage holds a place of honor in your winter garden, you’ll begin to think of cabbage in a more royal light! Ornamental cabbage thrives in cold weather, making it a must-try plant for winter. Purple-tinged with tons of crinkles and folds, its natural attractiveness adds texture to landscaped beds and walkways.
The holly bush has become a symbol for many end-of-year holidays. Why not enjoy holly’s dazzling red berries throughout frosts and snows in your backyard? Planting a holly bush or two is worth the time commitment and investment, especially when you’re greeted with its energetic presence day after day.
Excited to get started with your flowers and plants for the winter? Pretty soon you’ll be a year-round gardener. And if you need a little assistance sprucing up your outdoor space, contact Shearer Patio & Landscape Services. We’d be happy to breathe new life into your private winter wonderland.