Winter is here, and it’s a time of greenery and blooms, colors and textures, motion and sound. That’s probably not what you expected to hear, and it may not be your experience, but today we’re going to change that.
Believe it or not, there are plenty of plants that add multi-sensory interest to your winter landscape, right here in New Jersey. So if you’re used to the winter blahs, browse through this collection of plants, trees and shrubs that all have something to bring to your cold-weather vista.
We’ve shared highlights, fun facts, growing tips and plenty of reasons to love each of these. Best of all, they look fantastic all year long, so you can enjoy them as they change and thrive throughout each season.
Spotlight On: Witch Hazel, More Than Just A Sunburn Remedy!
Some studies have shown that not a whole lot of people actually like winter. But we think that’s just because they haven’t met it on the best terms!
If you don’t feel a particular fondness for the season, it’s time you added some fun plants to your landscape, and witch hazel is a great place to start. It brings great color, incredible texture and visual interest all year long – arguably more so during winter. See why we love this plant and what it can bring to your yard.
Spotlight On: Red & Yellow Twig Dogwood For Stunning Winter Color
This name of this plant may conjure visions of trees, but these beauties are actually shrubs. And as their name implies, they bring either red or yellow to your landscape during winter. In fact, you won’t really be able to appreciate the color of this plant until it has lost its leaves and is ready for the cold. That’s when its beautiful and intricate branch structure becomes visible and really lights up your landscape.
These plants look great in your garden all year, and bring a pop of color and visual interest during winter. The branches are also great for cut and dried flower arrangements. See how this plant can bring something unique to your winter garden.
Spotlight On: Hellebores, Bringing Miracles And Magic To Your Winter Garden
These cold-weather bloomers are often known by their more familiar names, including Christmas Rose and Lenten Rose. As you might suspect, different varieties will bloom during different winter months, from December through February.
So if you’re yearning for a bit of color on the dullest winter day, it’s time to get acquainted with this plant. They can bloom in every color of the rainbow, from deep purple to green, pink, yellow, blue and more. As an added bonus, they’re deer-resistant, so you can enjoy them without sharing!
Spotlight On: Winterberry Holly And Its Dazzling Winter Fruit
When you think of winter color, you may automatically envision evergreens. But there are even better garden additions that can bring bright, cheerful color to your landscape all year. We’re talking about winterberry holly, and it’s not your standard Christmas holly, either.
This holly plant will actually lose its green leaves during winter (after they turn a brilliant golden yellow for fall!) and that’s when you’ll get to appreciate the true reason for this plant’s place on the “must-have” list. It’s smooth, brown-black bark will be revealed, showcasing abundant clusters of its bright red berry fruit. If you’ve never seen a winterberry silhouetted against a snowy landscape, you may just find yourself wishing for a blizzard!
Spotlight On: Miscanthus Giganteus, A True Winter Landscaping Giant
We bet it won’t surprise you to learn that this winter plant can grow an astonishing twelve feet tall. That makes it a must-haver during spring and summer for privacy screening, and a double-must-have for winter, for much the same reason.
Although the greenery will die back, the towering stalks and fluffy plumes will last through the winter season, adding height, texture, motion, sound, and yes, privacy. There are so many reasons to love this plant that you just need two go read some of them for yourself.
Spotlight On: Maiden Grass, Winter Darling Of New Jersey Landscapes
This plant is another Miscanthus – sinensis to be precise – but it’s known more commonly as Maiden Grass, and it has the perk of never needing mowing.
It comes in many varieties, from dwarf to tall, sleek to tufted, in shades of green, yellow and silver. Its plumes can be found in colors from deep purple to pink and bronze. It’s deer resistant and pest-free, so whichever one you choose, you will have a winter friend and a great year-round addition.
With all of these winter plants at your disposal, it would be a terrible waste of a season to spend it wishing for spring! If you’d like to know more about how to create a stunning landscape that you can enjoy all year long, book a consultation with us. Whatever your space – sunny, shady, wet, dry, flat, sloped, you name it! – there’s beauty just waiting to be brought to life.
