13 Plants That Survive Winter

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Winter can be a challenging season for plants, with freezing temperatures and inclement weather. However, some hardy plant species have adapted to survive the cold winter months. These plants add beauty to your garden or landscape and provide shelter and food for local wildlife.

This post features 13 plants equipped to withstand the winter season and continue thriving despite frost, snow, and ice.

Winter Jasmine

Winter jasmine is a deciduous shrub with bright yellow flowers in late winter and early spring, which light up the dull days of winter. This hardy plant can deal with cold and still blooms bright yellow flowers. It is low-maintenance and can grow in various soil conditions.

Holly

Holly has festive red berries that have become iconic during the holiday season. These evergreen shrubs are important winter cover and food for birds and wildlife. If they have been adequately cared for, holly plants are unharmed by the iciest winter.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a small tree or shrub with fragrant yellow flowers that blossom as late as winter. Its flowering time and hardiness to low temperatures have made it a very popular addition to gardens in the winter months. It is considered to have many medicinal properties and can be used to treat a range of ailments.

Winterberry

The winterberry bush produces bright red berries. It is a deciduous shrub similar to the American holly that is cold, hardy, and can handle the winter elements. Birds eat the fruit, and the bare-branched shrub adds unusual characteristics to the winter garden landscape.

Juniper

This evergreen shrub with blue-grey foliage can tolerate extreme cold conditions. The cold-tolerant, low-water perennial is easy to maintain and suited for winter-blooming gardens.

Pansies

Pansies are a favorite winter flower, known for their bright and cheerful blooms. These hardy annuals can survive freezing temperatures and even snow. They come in various colors, adding color to an otherwise dreary winter landscape.

Snowdrops

As the name suggests, these fragile white blossoms emerge late winter to early spring when the snow is on the ground, hence their name. It can withstand cold weather and brings beauty to a winter garden.

Lenten Rose

The Lenten rose is an unusual flowering, low-maintenance perennial. It does very well in partial shade and withstands cooler weather, making it an excellent addition to your winter garden.

Winter Aconite

Winter aconite is another small perennial plant that blooms in late winter or early spring. Its bright yellow flowers are a welcome sight against the snow-covered ground. Resilient to most soil types, this rugged plant lights up a winter space with its vivid beauty.

Red Twig Dogwood

Red twig dogwood is a shrub with striking red branches that add interest to a winter garden. It can withstand harsh winters and grows best in moist soil. Red branches contrast nicely against snow-covered lands.

Boxwood

Boxwood is a cold-hardy evergreen shrub with green leaves that stay green even through winter. It works well as a hedge and provides structure to the winter landscape. It is also a popular plant for holiday decorations.

Wintergreen

Wintergreen is a creeping, low-growth evergreen plant that has bright red berries in the winter. This plant is mint-scented when the leaves are crushed and used in herbal preparations. As a result, it is one of those hardy plants that can survive even in the shade and serves as food for birds during the last half year of winter.

Russian Sage

Russian sage is a perennial plant that blooms during late summer but retains its silver-grey foliage throughout the winter. It can withstand harsh winter conditions, making it an excellent choice for adding texture and interest to a winter garden.