Plants and Designs for Winter Interest

When gardeners talk about the “growing season,” we generally mean spring, summer, and perhaps a little bit of fall. Winter tends to get forgotten, ignored, or generally put to the back of the line. After all, when many of us are dealing with frigid temps and ground that’s frozen solid, how much gardening can actually be done (or thought about)? The argument against this thinking, however, is that winter is the time that we may need our gardens the most. Looking outside to see a stand of glowing branches from a redtwig dogwood (Cornus sericea and cvs., Zones 3–8) among an otherwise barren garden bed is a stunning sight to behold. Winter is arguably when we could use a dose of garden goodness the most. It’s easy to look good in June when every plant looks good, but to shine when everything else is sleeping? That takes a truly remarkable plant.

The following collection highlights those unsung heroes of the garden: plants with winter interest. In the articles that follow you will find trees with electric yellow bark, shrubs that bloom when the snowflakes fly, and hearty woody plants that provide eye-catching silhouettes when covered in snow. Perhaps the most noteworthy plant of the winter season is the conifer, and you’ll find no shortage of suggestions here that will help you select a conifer with the right size, shape, and color for your garden. You’ll read about the traits to look for in a winter interest plant and also gather design tips on how to best site those stars in a manner that will get the most attention.

The soil may be a bit hard to plant these options now, but you’ll be able to arm yourself with a list of great winter interest options to buy as soon as the weather turns—saving yourself from having to look out the window onto a barren landscape next winter.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm

Buy at Amazon

DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw with 6-Piece Saw Blade Set

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
- DW4856 Metal/Woodcutting Reciprocating Saw Blade Set, 6-Piece

Buy at Amazon

Sun Joe Cordless Telescoping Pole Chain Saw

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

BAR + CHAIN: 8 in. auto-lubricating bar + chain with 2.7 fl oz oil tank capacity and oil level window. TELESCOPIC: Telescoping pole extends from 3.7 ft to 7.2 ft, providing up to 14 ft of overhead reach. ADJUSTABLE HEAD: Multi-angle head adjusts from 0º to 30º 24-VOLT SYSTEM: 24V 2.0 Ah IONMAX lithium-ion battery allows for up to 32 cuts of 4" x 4" pine on a single charge.

Buy at Amazon

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  Composing With Conifers

  For a dynamic look, contrast different shapes and colors.
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  Winter Interest from the Ground Up

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  Garden Photo of the Day

  Plant Winter Interest With Conifers

  Conifers come in all sizes, shapes, and colors.
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  Article

  Stealing the Scene

  When it comes to getting a winter garden as exciting as this one, a borrowed idea is just as good as a new one.
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  Conifers for Any Size Landscape

  If you want the form, texture, and permanence of a conifer but not the size, try these more manageable options.
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  Captivating Combinations for Winter

  To look at winter gardening in a whole new light, we have compiled a collection of captivating winter combinations.
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  9 Cool Variegated Conifers

  Expand your evergreen palette with one of these outstanding choices.
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  Conifers to Consider

  These slow-growing and dwarf varieties add color, texture, and shape to garden plantings.
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  Conifers for Shade

  Yes, you can grow evergreen trees and shrubs in shade. Who knew?
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  Designing with Dwarf Conifers

  Enjoy year-round interest without giving up your whole garden.
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  Bark With Bite: How to Utilize Tree Bark in a Garden Design

  Year-round interest takes on a whole new meaning when you have colorful trunks and stems in your design.
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  Intriguing Bark Enlivens a Winter Scene

  Unusual bark characteristics such as bright color, unusual texture, and sheen can draw the eye in a drab winter landscape.
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  Winter Stars: Bare Yet Beautiful Plant Varieties

  You’ll forget all about evergreens when you feast your eyes on these colorful deciduous winter stunners.
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  12 Ways to Create Winter Interest

  The following tips will help you pull in the right elements to make your winter garden wonderful.
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  Garden Photo of the Day

  Creative Winter Interest

  These beautiful plants will jazz up the coldest season.