You have to plan ahead for winter interest. The downside of that is, you have to put in the effort first and hope for a payoff. The upside is that the payoff isn’t hard to come by, and all you have to do in winter is walk around and enjoy the results. A large part of what becomes winter interest is stuff that was already there, but you notice it more now. Color and texture are still present, but their influences recede. Form, however, increases its presence in winter. Branch structures that had been hidden beneath leaves suddenly show their architecture. Evergreen mounds and spires that spent the growing season as mere backdrops to showier companions now become focal points. The following scenes demonstrate the effectiveness of forms in winter. Use the plant combinations as recipes, or, even better, understand the design lessons they hold. That effort is sure to pay off.

Key plants

1. Dwarf hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’, Zones 4–8)
2. ‘Alberta Globe’ white spruce (Picea glauca ‘Alberta Globe’, Zones 3–9)

Now that all the grasses and perennials have faded away, this pair of Western arborvitae can steal the show. Their dense, distinct forms contrast with the thin stalks surrounding them. A shared vertical habit adds harmony, but because the arborvitaes are conical, they prevent the scene from feeling like a gathering of tall, skinny basketball players. This is one of the few times it is good to have a wide bottom.

Key plants

1. Western arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis cv., Zones 2–7)
2. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, Zones 3–9)
3. Weeping blue Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’, Zones 6–9)
4. ‘Elijah Blue’ blue fescue (Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’, Zones 4–8)

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

It is often recommended that one plant a redtwig dogwood in front of a green background to make it stand out. Here, the birch between the dogwood and its background invites one to notice the similar forms and branching patterns that make the tree look like white smoke rising from the flames.

Key plants

1. ‘Cardinal’ redtwig dogwood (Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’, Zones 3–8)
2. White Himalayan birch (Betula utilis var. jacquemontii, Zones 5–6)

A good winter plant is one that only looks better with a little frosting.