From Frost to Fabulous: Plants That Shine in Late Winter
When planning a landscape, it’s easy to focus on spring blooms and summer color, but a truly well-designed yard looks beautiful year-round. Incorporating plants that provide winter interest can transform your landscape from dull and dormant to visually striking, even in the coldest months.
During winter, our connection to the outdoors often comes from views through frosty windows. Thoughtfully chosen plants with eye-catching textures, colors, berries, and movement can turn that view into a scene you actually look forward to enjoying all season long.
Trees and Shrubs That Add Winter Interest
While many trees and shrubs are prized for their foliage or flowers, several varieties truly shine in winter thanks to distinctive bark, colorful stems, and persistent berries.
Eye-Catching Bark
Trees with exfoliating or textured bark stand out dramatically once their branches are bare. These features add visual depth and contrast against snow-covered landscapes.
Great options include:
- River birch
- Paperbark maple
Colorful Stems and Branches
Some deciduous shrubs reveal vibrant colors after their leaves drop, painting the winter landscape with bold hues.
Popular choices include:
- Red twig dogwood
- Yellow twig dogwood
Winter Berries and Fruit
Plants that hold onto berries, cones, or fruit throughout winter add both beauty and wildlife value.
- Black chokeberry produces clusters of dark berries that often persist well into winter.
- Winterberry shrubs offer bright red berries that create a striking contrast against snow—just be sure to enjoy them before the birds do.
Evergreens for Year-Round Structure
Evergreen trees and shrubs provide essential structure and color when the rest of the landscape is dormant. From deep greens to soft blue tones, evergreens anchor your yard visually throughout the winter months.
Perennials That Shine in Winter
Perennials don’t have to disappear once temperatures drop. Many varieties continue to add texture, movement, and visual interest long after the growing season ends.
- Seed heads from plants like coneflowers and black-eyed Susans add spiky texture and provide a natural food source for birds.
- Ornamental grasses left standing through winter bring movement and softness to the landscape, especially when dusted with snow or frost.
A Landscape Worth Enjoying—Even in Winter
Winter doesn’t have to mean a barren or lifeless yard. With the right mix of trees, shrubs, evergreens, and perennials, your landscape can offer beauty, structure, and interest all year long.
Ready to Update Your Landscaping?
Whether you’re planning a full landscape design or simply want to add more winter interest to your yard, Sweeney’s Custom Landscaping is here to help.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s design a landscape you’ll love in every season.