The Best Plants for the Winter Months

During the winter your home’s exterior can start to look a little drab. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right choice of plant life, you can create a garden that will provide eye-catching color and character year-round.

Here are some plant suggestions that are both beautiful and hardy enough to survive more inclement weather conditions.

Camellias
Evergreen, nontoxic to pets and cold-hardy, camellias can bloom from late fall to early spring. Popular as cut flowers, these fragrant, rose-like blooms come in hues of red, white and pink. Camellias prefer temperatures above freezing, protection from the wind and acidic, well-drained soil high in organic matter.

Mahonias (Oregon Grapes)
This vivid evergreen shrubbery produces lightly scented yellow flowers between the months of November and March. The bee-friendly flowers are often followed by the appearance of dark bluish-purple berries, which area birds will enjoy. Mahonias can tolerate temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer well-drained soil, partial shade and shelter from the wind. Mahonias are also nontoxic to pets.

Pansies
Available in blue, white, purple and yellow, pansies can withstand light frost and will bloom while temperatures are above freezing. During longer cold snaps, a layer of pine straw can provide the heat they need to remain viable. Pansies prefer well-drained soil high in organic matter and full sun. Some varieties can be mildly toxic to pets if consumed in large quantities.

Winter Jasmine
Deciduous and fragrance-free, this variety of jasmine features glossy green leaves and cheery, yellow flowers that bloom in January. Winter jasmine can be grown as a small bush, used for groundcover or trained to climb like a vine. For best results, plant in well-drained soil and full sunlight, and prune in spring once flowering is completed. Winter jasmine is nontoxic to pets.

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