Winter doesn’t have to be a season of dullness! There’s an exciting array of colorful winter shrubs that can transform your yard into a vibrant landscape throughout December, January, and February.
Although flowering plants may take a backseat in colder regions, northern gardeners have the opportunity to enhance their landscapes with shrubs that showcase stunning foliage, vibrant berries, and unique textures.
These winter standouts not only provide visual interest but also add character to your garden during the chilly months. Explore how these eye-catching shrubs can elevate your winter outdoor space!
Discover 20 stunning winter shrubs that you should consider growing. Each one features vibrant berries, captivating bark, or lush evergreen leaves, ensuring your garden remains visually striking even in the coldest months.
1- Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus alba)
The bark of red twig dogwood shines during the bleak winter months. While it doesn’t peel, its striking bright red hue sets it apart, adding a splash of color to the winter landscape.
- Growing Conditions: Well drained moist soil, Full sun to partial
- Size: 3-8 ft. height, 8-12 ft. width
2- English Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
Boxwoods are renowned broadleaf evergreens celebrated for their fine, delicate leaves. Often planted in rows and shaped into neat hedges, their foliage can take on a lovely bronze tint during the winter months.
- Growing Conditions: Well drained moist soil, slightly alkaline soil, Full sun to partial
- Size: 2-8 ft. height, 2-8 ft. width
3- Oakleaf Hydrangea (hydrangea quercifolia)
Some shrubs bring winter visual interest with their unique bark. Birch trees are well-known for their eye-catching, peeling bark, while shrubs like oakleaf hydrangea offer a similar appealing texture.
- Growing Conditions: Well drained moist soil, Full sun to partial
- Size: 4-8 ft. height & width
4- Ninebark (physocarpus opulifolius)
Similar to oakleaf hydrangea, ninebark shrubs feature attractive peeling bark in winter. They come in a range of sizes, including some compact varieties, and offer a diverse palette of foliage colors, with purple and golden being the most popular choices.
- Growing Conditions: Well drained moist soil, Full sun to partial
- Size: 3-10 ft. height, 3-8 ft. width
5- Dwarf Mugo Pine (pinus mugo)
The dwarf Mugo pine adds winter interest with its lush evergreen foliage and works beautifully as a ground cover. However, because it is a relatively short plant, its visual impact may be diminished in areas that experience heavy snowfall during the winter months.
- Growing Conditions: Well drained moist soil, Full sun to partial
- Size: 2-5 ft. height, 3-5 ft. width
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