When winter comes, it doesn't have to mean the end of a vibrant, beautiful garden. There are plenty of hardy plants and shrubs that not only survive the cold but thrive in it, bringing structure, texture, and colour to your outdoor space. Whether you're looking for evergreens, flowering shrubs, or ground cover, these cold-weather champions will keep your garden alive and full of interest all year long. Here’s our top 10 selection of plants and shrubs that can handle cold weather and frosty conditions.
1. Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Holly is a classic winter plant, instantly recognisable with its glossy green leaves and bright red berries. It's perfect for adding festive colour to your garden in the colder months. Holly is also an excellent choice for hedges and provides shelter for wildlife.
- Hardiness: Holly is extremely hardy, able to withstand temperatures well below freezing.
- Care Tips: Plant holly in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. Prune it in late winter or early spring to shape.
2. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Boxwood is a versatile evergreen shrub that keeps its structure and neat appearance through all seasons, making it perfect for formal gardens or topiary. Its dense foliage provides year-round greenery.
- Hardiness: Boxwood is hardy and can tolerate cold temperatures, though it benefits from some shelter in particularly frosty areas.
- Care Tips: Plant in well-drained soil and trim regularly to maintain its shape. Protect from drying winds in very exposed sites.
3. Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
Winter jasmine is a delightful shrub that blooms from late autumn through winter, providing cheerful yellow flowers when most other plants are dormant. It’s an excellent option for brightening up walls and fences.
- Hardiness: Winter jasmine is very cold-hardy and can thrive even in frosty conditions.
- Care Tips: Grow in full sun or partial shade and prune after flowering to encourage new growth.
4. Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Heather is a low-growing evergreen that offers vibrant colour throughout winter. Its tough, wiry stems and compact size make it ideal for cold, exposed sites, and its purple, pink, or white flowers can brighten up the garden even in winter.
- Hardiness: Heather is well-suited to cold weather and frost, thriving in exposed locations.
- Care Tips: Plant in acidic, well-drained soil and trim back after flowering to maintain its shape.
5. Dogwood (Cornus alba)
Dogwood is loved for its striking red stems, which provide brilliant colour during winter when most other plants have lost their leaves. It's perfect for adding visual interest and structure to your garden in colder months.
- Hardiness: Dogwood is very cold-tolerant and ideal for frosty climates.
- Care Tips: Plant in full sun to ensure the best stem colour and cut back in late winter to encourage new growth.
6. Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)
Snowdrops are one of the first flowers to bloom in late winter, often pushing through the snow to bring a touch of brightness to cold, dreary days. These delicate white flowers are surprisingly hardy and look wonderful naturalised in lawns or woodland gardens.
- Hardiness: Snowdrops thrive in cold climates and frost, making them perfect for winter gardens.
- Care Tips: Plant snowdrop bulbs in autumn in well-drained soil and partial shade.
7. Mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium)
Mahonia is a tough, spiky evergreen shrub that produces clusters of fragrant yellow flowers in late winter, followed by dark blue berries in the spring. Its bold architectural form adds great structure to the garden in cold weather.
- Hardiness: Mahonia is frost-hardy and tolerates cold winters with ease.
- Care Tips: Plant in partial shade and well-drained soil. Prune after flowering to keep it in shape.
8. Japanese Quince (Chaenomeles speciosa)
Japanese quince is a hardy, deciduous shrub that produces stunning red, pink, or white flowers on bare branches in late winter or early spring. Its striking appearance makes it a great choice for winter gardens.
- Hardiness: Japanese quince is cold-hardy and can survive frost and harsh conditions.
- Care Tips: Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny position for the best flowering display. Prune in early spring to maintain shape.
9. Skimmia (Skimmia japonica)
Skimmia is an evergreen shrub with glossy leaves, fragrant white flowers in spring, and bright red berries in winter, providing interest throughout the year. It’s a great option for shaded areas of the garden.
- Hardiness: Skimmia is frost-hardy and tolerates cold weather well.
- Care Tips: Plant in partial shade with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Add mulch in the winter to protect the roots from extreme cold.
10. Hellebore (Helleborus)
Hellebores, also known as the Christmas or Lenten rose, are winter-flowering perennials that produce beautiful blooms from late winter to early spring. These hardy plants are perfect for bringing colour to shady areas in winter.
- Hardiness: Hellebores are extremely hardy, flourishing even in cold and frosty conditions.
- Care Tips: Plant in well-drained soil in a partially shaded spot. Remove old leaves in winter to showcase the flowers.
Final Thoughts
With these top 10 plants and shrubs for cold weather, you can keep your garden looking vibrant, structured, and colourful even through the harshest winters. From evergreens to early-flowering perennials, there are plenty of options to ensure your outdoor space remains a winter wonderland.
At Marshalls Garden, we offer a wide range of cold-hardy plants and shrubs, perfect for creating a stunning garden that thrives all year round. Visit us online to explore our selection and bring some winter magic to your garden.