Winter can be a beautiful time of year, but it can also tend to be dull and colorless. The leaves have all fallen off the trees. The grass has gone dormant and is no longer a lush, vibrant green. Even the flowers are no longer blooming. The good news is that there are hardy plants that can withstand colder temperatures and help add color to your winter garden.
Winter Jasmine
If you don’t have a strong green thumb, but you want color, the winter jasmine is an especially forgiving plant. This plant is actually considered a shrub and can form broad, mounding or vining growths and has delicate yellow, 5 petal flowers. Best of all, it is low-maintenance and typically blooms in mid-winter, right when you will probably be craving some color the most.
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
Not only do these unique plants provide a nice pop of color, they also offer an interesting texture. They don’t get especially tall, but they do tend to spread out, which means that they provide plenty of coverage and are perfect for placement in front of taller plantings.
Camellias
Camellias come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. The actual plant is a small tree or shrub with glossy green leaves. The flowers can range from deep red in color to white and everything in between. Some flowers tend to look like roses while other varieties resemble a fully bloomed peony. There are a lot of options to choose from that will allow you to enjoy beautiful flowers and color during the winter months.
Holly Bush
Holly bush leaves and berries are typically used in indoor holiday decorations, but you can also add color to your garden with these resilient bush. Keep in mind that certain varieties can grow over 50 feet tall, so if you are looking for a more manageable addition to your garden, be sure to go with one of the smaller versions.
Japanese Maples
These trees are often found in decorative gardens because they offer beautiful trunks that look like artistic carvings and richly covered leaves. While they can grow up to 30 feet, they also tend to spread out horizontally for a truly unique look that can serve as a focal point in any winter garden.
Red and Yellow-Stemmed Dogwood
Even when the leaves of the red and yellow-stemmed dogwood have fallen off, the colorful branches continue to add to the landscape. The bright red and yellow hues provide the perfect compliment to the evergreens during the winter months.
While there is nothing quite like Spring when all the flowers, trees and grass come back to life, you can still enjoy plenty of color during the winter by choosing the right plants for your garden. From colorful shrubs and trees to plants that flower even in cold weather, there are a variety of options that can be easily integrated into your existing beds for a look that will last all year long.
For more advice about adding color to your garden and tips for protecting your landscape and home from pests, contact the experts at Pest Management Systems, Inc.
