Would you care to light up up the garden during the short , blue day of winter ? While the annual flower , herbaceous perennials , and seasonal bulbs are finished for the class or slumbering through the cold , many woody shrubs like to strut their stuff .
They might blend into a green landscape painting in summer , but come wintertime , these cold hardy shrubs give noteworthy displays , providing optic - catching prayer for containers , gardens , and yards .
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Photo by Lorna Kring.
The shrubs I like for the job admit features such as multicolored or textured bark , bunch of bright berries , colorful foliation , unparalleled morphological shapes , and even perfume flowers !
If you ’ve had enough of the cold time of year ’s endless twenty-four hours of grayish or white , these vibrant shrubs are consummate for adding snappy panache and machination – you ’re sure to discover several that are ideal for illuminating any garden .
Now lease ’s take a skinny look at 21 cold hardy shrubs for winter interest .
Photo by Lorna Kring.
Here ’s what ’s coming up :
Best Cold-Hardy Shrubs
1. Bay Laurel
With a beautiful , dense canopy of glossy , dark fleeceable leaves , bay laurel ( Laurus nobilis ) is a garden shapeshifter that grows as a clumping shrub , but is easily snip into a hedging , tower , topiary , or little tree with unbowed or coil trunk .
The fragrant evergreen plant foliation is a favourite kitchen flavouring and these handsome bush ply class - round visual pursuit plus privacy in areas with temperate winters .
Bay Laurel
They also make attractive scented gain to inhuman season decor like chaplet , pillage , and wreaths .
Hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 10 , plants in one - gal containers areavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
Learn more about how to get bay laurel in our guide .
2. Berry Box Pyracomeles
You ’ll beberrypleased with the wintertime coloring material of ‘ Berry Box ’ ( xPyracomeles ) which produces sensational masses of bright orangeness to blood-red berries !
Flowering hard in summer , the little blank bloom transform into orange berry in downfall , then rick deep scarlet in moderate insensate season temperatures .
These handsome shrub have a ripe height of up to 42 inches with a spread of up to 36 inches and their mounding , compact wont is ideal for maturate as barrier , in mete , basis , planters , and rockery . Hardy in Zones 7 to 9 .
3. Boxwood
Boxwoods ( Buxusspp . ) are popular evergreen shrubs that can be trimmed and pruned into frizzly borders , hedge , specimen , and topiary for containers and in formal , cottage , or contemporaneous garden .
The multi - forficate shrub develop a profuse , thick canopy of bright immature , rounded folio and many mixed bag take on bronzy hue in cold weather condition .
‘ Winter Gem ’ Boxwood
‘ Winter Gem ’ ( B. microphyllavar.japonica ) has a fledged altitude of 36 to 48 inch with a spread of 36 inch and is hardy in Zones 5 to 9 .
plant life in three - congius containers areavailable at Perfect Plants Nursery .
you’re able to hear more about how to grow boxwood in our guide .
4. Camellia
As flowering evergreen plant trees or shrub , camellias ( Camelliaspp . ) are striking ornamental that can be grown in container , as cluster and privacy screen , or standalone specimens .
They feature large , showy , individual to double flowers in livid , pink , or blood-red .
For gorgeous , waxy blush from late fall into early winter , cultivars ofC. sasanquaare the best choice whileC. japonicavarieties blossom from midwinter to spring .
Most cold-blooded season mixed bag turn in the kitchen stove of six to 12 feet marvelous with a standardized width and are hardy in the restrained temperatures of Zones 7 to 9 .
‘ Yuletide ’ is aC. sasanquacultivar with large , unmarried flower of mystifying cherry red with buttery yellow anther .
‘ Yuletide ’ Camellia
Plants are usable in one- and three - congius potsat Fast Growing Trees .
C. japonica‘Debutante ’ has semi - three-fold deep pinkish flowers with lightly frilly edges .
‘ Debutante ’ Camellia
plant life in one - congius greenhouse pots areavailable at Perfect Plants Nursery .
Learn more about growing camellias in our comprehensive scout .
5. Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster ( Cotoneasterspp . ) species come in a large regalia of anatomy and sizes , with glistening dark-green leaves and long stanch oppressed with clump of burgundy , flushed , or orangish Chuck Berry in downfall and winter .
Many varieties also have leafage that provides gorgeous fall and wintertime semblance .
For a spectacular ground cover , cranberry cotoneaster ( C. apiculatus ) is festoon with masses of bright red berries and handsomely burnished foliage in burgundy , plum , and purple .
Cranberry Cotoneaster
This compact shrub grows two to three foot tall with a spread of up to six feet and is hardy in Zones 4 to 7 .
Shrubs in one- and three - gal containers areavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
Our guide to growing cotoneaster has more entropy .
6. Firethorn
An telling semi - evergreen shrub , firethorn ( Pyracantha coccinea ) has burnished green leaves , pocket-size ashen flowers in outpouring , and abundant , showy clusters of Orange River to scarlet berries in downslope that hold on through winter .
The slopped , thorny branch make an excellentdefensive roadblock or hedging , can be sculpture into topiary , and the plant is well espaliered along fences , trellises , or walls .
‘ Red Cushion ’ Pyracantha
Firethorn shrubs have a matured height and breadth of 10 to 15 feet and are audacious in Zones 5 to 9 .
‘ Red Cushion ’ is a gnome cultivar that stay low-toned and compact and is available in nursery potsat Nature Hills Nursery .
7. Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick
Long - durable and singular , the knotted and contorted ramification of Harry Lauder ’s walking spliff ( Corylus avellana‘Contorta ’ ) provide excellent cosmetic appeal .
Along with the beautiful , distorted stem , ‘ Contorta ’ also yield winter - busting charm with its with child , gilded icteric catkins that dangle from the branches lately in the season .
Harry Lauder ’s walk Stick
Harry Lauder ’s walking stick makes for an eye - catching specimen in container , court , and origination , or as a shrub border or hedging . industrial plant are hardy in zone 4 to 8 .
you may find plant life in three - gallon container availableat Nature Hills Nursery .
8. Heavenly Bamboo
An upright evergreen shrub , many cultivar of heavenly bamboo ( Nandina domestica ) boast new growth in bright orange red or burgundy that modulation to cat valium for summertime , and interchange again in fall to vibrant shades of crimson , plum , and purple that last until spring .
A true choice for container as well as beds , borders , and hedge , Nandinaisn’t atrue bamboo , though it is considered invasive in some regions . You should discipline your local regulation before plant .
Plants grow up to seven feet magniloquent with a five foot spreading and are hardy in geographical zone 6 to 9 .
cultivar for impressive wintertime colors admit ‘ Burgundy Wine , ’ ‘ Firepower , ’ and ‘ Gulf Stream . ’
‘ Firepower ’ boast short green leafage that take on an orangey - cherry-red hue in the summer calendar month .
‘ Firepower ’ Heavenly Bamboo
This cultivar is useable in quart- and Imperial gallon - sized containersfrom Plants By Mail .
Learn more about celestial bamboo in our growing guide .
9. Holly
TheIlexgenus contains many holly specie , including the pricklyEnglish or common miscellanea ( I. aquifolium)that is popular for winter holiday medal , North American native species like the thornless , small - leafyaupon ( I. vomitoria)with middling pink to red-faced berries , and theJapanese varieties ( I. crenata)that feature black berries and lowly ellipse leave of absence .
Holly makes a colorful addition to the landscape as specimen plants or grouped into barriers , hedge , and privacy screen door , growing in a range of size and shapes , depending on the type .
cold-blooded hardiness depart as well , from Zones 7 to 9 for English and yaupon types to geographical zone 5 to 9 for the Japanese hollies .
‘ Nellie Stevens ’ ( I.x ‘ Nellie R. Stevens ’ ) is a robust English hybrid with good disease resistance . This cultivar produces undimmed red berry that remain in place throughout the winter .
‘ Nellie Stevens ’ Holly
Plants in one- and three - gal container are availableat Perfect Plants Nursery .
read more about mature holly in our guide .
10. Juniper
Junipers ( Juniperusspp . ) are robust , low - maintenance evergreen native to the Northern Hemisphere with handsome gray , greenish , or glaucous foliage and masses of blue - fleeceable wintertime berries .
The foliation of some species can also take on a cast of amber , bronze , or purple in dusty temperature .
Sizes crop from a peak and scatter of one to 15 feet , count on the variety , and these plants make attractive barriers , ground covers , hedgerow , and specimens . And the berries are a must - have for distilling gin !
‘ Blue Rug ’ Juniper
Junipers are full-bodied plants with adept dusty hardiness that are worthy for Zones 3 to 9 .
‘ Blue Rug ’ is a concordat , propagate undercoat cover that ’s available in one- , two- , and three - gallon potsat Perfect Plants Nursery .
Read our scout to growing raetam to take more .
11. Kinnikinnick
Also do it as cascara buckthorn , kinnikinnick ( Arctostaphylos uva - ursi ) is a widespread North American native .
It ’s a low - originate , evergreen plant shrub that features small , coriaceous , boat paddle - regulate parting with charming , bell - shaped pinkish bloom in spring .
Used as a drought - tolerant ground cover , rockery plant , or cascading over a retaining wall , surrender brings bright red berries and attractive burgundy , gold , and purple leaf that persist through winter along with papery , reddish barque .
‘ Massachusetts ’ Kinnikinnick
These ground trailing bush maturate only six to 12 in tall but can circulate as much as 15 feet . Very cold fearless and suitable for Zones 2 to 8 .
‘ Massachusetts ’ has a facing pages of eight to 10 feet and is available in glasshouse containersat Nature Hills Nursery .
12. Leucothoe
A multi - cauline , broadleaf evergreen plant with a pretty , arc growth habit , theLeucothoegenus has three North American species with stunning cold season interest .
As the weather condition cools , the thick leaves work bronzy shades of burgundy , plum , and purple , adding elegant form and colour to the cold time of year landscape .
Also called doghobble , these attractive shrubs sport luxurious panicles of creamy , Vanessa Stephen - shaped flowers in spring and rise up to four feet improbable and six feet wide-cut . Hardy in Zones 5 to 8 .
burn Love Leucothoe
Burning Love ™ ( L. keiskei‘Opstal 50 ’ ) is a gnome variety with fantastic wine loss and plum tree - empurpled winter foliation .
Plants in one - Imperial gallon container can be foundat Nature Hills Nursery .
13. Ninebark
Common ninebark ( Physocarpus opulifolius ) is a flowering deciduous shrub with four seasons of pastime .
The common name arrive from its beautiful unclothe barque in ghost of idle brown , cinnamon , tan , and gray .
Native to easterly North America , these hardy plants have a beautiful spring - like shape and a profusion of pink tipped , creamy blossom in spring that transform into clusters of red yield for summertime .
In fall , the chartreuse to pea plant - green leafage turn bright yellow before dropping off to discover the handsome branches of unequaled , exfoliate bark .
bantam Wine Ninebark
Ninebark grows five to eight metrical unit marvellous with a spread of four to six feet and has first-class cold resistance pee-pee it suitable for refinement in Zones 2 to 8 .
Tiny Wine ® ( P. opulifolius‘SMPOTW ’ ) is an recherche gnome cultivar with bronzy burgundy foliage and isavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
14. Oregon Grape
Oregon grape ( Berberissyn . Mahoniaspp . ) is an ornamental evergreen plant bush grown for its attractive foliage and three - season interest .
In late winter to early spring , pretty raceme of fragrant yellow flowers appear , giving way to clusters of attractive blue , royal , or black berries for fall and winter .
depend on the diverseness , new leaf often emerge a burnished bronzy - red then deepen to dark forest - jet in summer .
In autumn , the leaves can take on perfervid shades of orange , cherry-red , and yellow that add impressive demarcation to the colored Chuck Berry .
Oregon Grape
Oregon grape makes for a unique specimen planting or addition to interracial bush beds , and can be grouped into barrier and hedging .
Plants acquire up to seven feet tall , spread up to 10 feet , and are intrepid in Zones 5 to 9 .
Oregon grapevine ( B. aquifolium)can be purchase in large greenhouse containersat Nature Hills Nursery .
contain out our guide to growing Oregon grapevine to get wind more .
15. Paperbush
Fragrant flowers later in the twelvemonth can be hard to come by , but paperbush ( Edgeworthia chrysantha ) delivers an abundance of scented clusters with blanched and scandalmongering or orange flower in later winter to early spring .
By mid - December , the deciduous leaves have dropped away leaving an attractive multi - branched silhouette with unequalled peeling bark – and plenty of peak bud that typically bloom in February , lasting for several weeks .
Paperbush makes an appealing specimen for containers and basis or mass into borderline and hedge .
These shrub grow four to six foot tall and wide and are moderately hardy for growth in Zones 7 to 10 .
16. Red Twig Dogwood
cherry twig dogwood ( Cornus sericea ) is a extremely desirable native flora that shines during the dormant catamenia with multiple , igneous stems of coral , red , orange , or yellow .
The clumping shrubs with twiglike growth are superb against a snow-white backcloth and for brightening grey days . They can be cut as well , to add a touch of drama to outdoor urns and holiday decorations .
Shrubs grow up to 15 feet improbable with a standardized spread and feature excellent stale daring for polish in Zones 2 to 8 .
Arctic Fire ( C. sericea‘Farrow ’ ) is a dwarf miscellany that grows three to five feet improbable and wide with gorgeous , wine-coloured flushed twigs .
Arctic Fire Red Twig Dogwood
Arctic Fire is available in three - gallon containersat Nature Hills Nursery .
The yellow twig cultivar , ‘ Flaviramea , ’ has brilliant icteric ramification on shrubs that maturate six to eight feet tall and wide .
scandalmongering Twig Dogwood
It ’s useable in four - gal potsat Nature Hills .
hear more about grow ruby-red sprig dogwoods .
17. Snowberry
A elusive and resilient aboriginal shrub , snowberry ( Symphoricarpos albus ) always deliver an interesting moth-eaten weather show with its clusters of attractive white-hot to knock yield .
Highly versatile and tolerant of a miscellany of conditions , later spring blossom are rose-colored pink , giving way to green drupes that maturate to staring white by late summertime and stay on the well-favored , just branch through wintertime .
An attractive addition to cut flower arrangements , foundations , mixed shrub bed , andcottageor naturalize gardens , shrub grow two to five feet high-pitched and form thickets up to six feet wide-cut .
Snowberry
Snowberry has splendid frigid resistance and is dauntless in Zones 2 to 7 .
Plants in three - congius containers areavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
For aSymphoricarposwith colorful berries , ‘ Sophie ’ is a spiceberry that features gorgeous stone fruit of fluorescent pink .
‘ Sophie ’ Snowberry
you’re able to discover ‘ Sophie ’ alsoavailable at Nature Hills .
memorise more about acquire snowberry in our guide .
18. Winter Daphne
A small woody shrub , winter daphne ( Daphne odora ) is excellent for dusty weather interest with pleasurably fragrant bunch of small pinkish heyday .
The rounded , thickset shrubs are lightly branched with an open , airy shape , forming pink buds in midwinter and providing support for former pollinator .
The handsome foliage is evergreen , with some cultivar sporting variegate edging .
Place plants where the fragrance can be enjoy , such as groundwork , flanking entrances , or in containers .
These shrub grow up to four foot mellow with a breadth of three foundation and are hardy in Zones 6 to 10 .
Marianni Winter Daphne
Marianni ® ( D. odora‘Rogbret ’ ) has lovely variegate leaves with sick xanthous edging and is available in greenhouse potsat Nature Hills Nursery .
you may check more about winter daphne in our grow usher .
19. Winter Jasmine
A tracking , semi - evergreen bush with stiff , arc cane , wintertime jasmine ( Jasminum nudiflorum ) provides a beautiful fusillade of color late in the year with pretty , sunshine - yellow flowers .
A reliable , grim maintenance alternative for bright color with a versatile social system , wintertime jasmine can be pruned into a roadblock or hedge and is highly in effect as a struggle ground cover , spilling down bank and over retaining walls , or espaliered to a fence or wall .
Plants grow up to 15 feet tall and wide and are brave in zone 6 to 9 .
Read our templet to growing wintertime jasmine to pick up more .
20. Winterberry Holly
frigid hardy and high temperature tolerant , winterberry holly ( Ilex verticillata ) is a native plant with striking winter berries in coral , scarlet , or yellow that deserve its own mention .
As a deciduous bush , once the leaves have go down the handsome bare stems are laden with lot of gorgeous berry .
It ’s the perfect hydrofoil for short , gray days as the bush clear moulding , containers , foundations , hedges , and island , either mass into groups or as a solo focal point .
Shrubs grow up to 15 feet tall and wide and there are several attractive dwarf varieties uncommitted .
You need to get both a male and a distaff plant to produce berries . Winterberry has unspoilt stale resistance and is dauntless in Zones 3 to 9 .
Little Goblin Winterberry Buddy Holly
Little Goblin ® ( I. verticillata‘NCIV2 ’ ) is a nanus form with coral orange berries and is useable in three - gallon potsat Nature Hills Nursery .
21. Witch Hazel
A shaggy-haired , deciduous bush , witch hazelnut tree ( Hamamelisspp.)is a true winter - broncobuster .
It produces dense bunch of long , elegant canes adorned with masses of fragrant and wonderfully shaggy yellow , red , or mauve bloom that bloom from late fall to former spring , depending on the type .
beldame hazel is a super dialect or specimen plant and pee an impressive barrier or hedging when mass - set in rows .
size vary but prevail in the range of 12 to 20 foot mellow and wide and these shrub are hardy in Zones 3 to 9 .
Vernal witch Pomaderris apetala ( H. vernalis ) is a North American native that sport pretty xanthous to peachy red flowers with a lightsome , spicy - sugared scent . It grow up to 12 substructure marvellous and wide .
Vernal Witch Hazel
Shrubs in three - gallon container areavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .
Read more about how to grow witch hazel in our guidebook .
Glorious Gloom Busters
Shrubs that provide wintertime interest are idealistic for brightening the garden , glorious sombreness busters that take the sting out of winter ’s short , dark days !
And even though most of these shrubs are n’t actively growing in frigid atmospheric condition , they offer a wide range of interesting features include rough-textured bark , colourful berries , violent - toned leafage , unique morphological shapes , and even perfumed flowers .
Before purchasing , always ensure that your excerpt is desirable for your growing zone and supply your shrub with optimal conditions for the honest displays possible .
If you ’re shy , our growing guide have the lowdown on the cultivation needs for many of the above industrial plant .
Then kick back and enjoy how they illuminate your winterscape !
And formore information about grow woody shrubs , check out these template next :
Photos by Lorna Kring © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL rightfulness RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Product exposure via Fast Growing Trees , Nature Hills Nursery , Perfect Plants Nursery , and Plants by Mail . Uncredited picture : Shutterstock .
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Lorna Kring
