Regional Picks for Late-Winter Interest

While most gardeners can find interest in things like bare branches and seed heads, we all get to a point where we want a dose of garden color in the depths of winter. Spring seems like a lifetime away, and though we love our houseplants, we’re desperate for something pretty to look out at from our window.

Luckily, there is no need to settle for hues of brown until the ground thaws. Many trees, shrubs, and perennials offer an array of color during the coldest months of the year (sometimes even when there is still snow on the ground). These hardy stars can be an opening act, serving you winter interest while your spring bloomers are still warming up.

In this collection, you will find a wide range of late-winter plants in various colors and forms—some with fantastic foliage and others with beautiful blooms. Find your region below, and discover late-winter plants that will work in your garden.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees

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The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.

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Pruning Simplified: A Step-by-Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs

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

Pruning Simplified shows you exactly how to do it. This must-have guide offers expert advice on the best tools for the job, specific details on when to prune, and clear instructions on how to prune. Profiles of the 50 most popular trees and shrubs—including azaleas, camellias, clematis, hydrangeas, and more—include illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions that will ensure you make the right cut the first time.

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

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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

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  Pacific Northwest Regional Reports

  Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest – California

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  Mid-Atlantic Regional Reports

  Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest – Mid-Atlantic

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  Midwest Regional Reports

  Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest – Midwest

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  Northeast Regional Reports

  Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest – Northeast

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  Pacific Northwest Regional Reports

  Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest – Northwest

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  Southeast Regional Reports

  Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest – Southeast

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  Southwest Regional Reports

  Regional Picks: Late-Winter Interest – Southern Plains