These Plants Thrive in the Winter
Here’s how you can keep your garden alive in the colder months.
Courtesy of Monrovia, Doreen Wynja
Contrary to popular belief, cooler temperatures doesn’t always mean your garden has to suffer. In fact, wintertime paves the way for a number of plants in your garden not just to survive, but to (literally) blossom. While many gardens are more restful during the winter months, this time can still be an opportunity to add depth and color to your space. Megan McConnell, Plant Information Director at Monrovia, offers tips to ensure your winter garden is reaching its full potential.
McConnell emphasizes one thing winter gardeners need to remember: Plants need moisture. Make sure your plants have about one inch of water per week to help their roots stay insulated, allowing them to survive in colder temperatures. McConnell encourages gardeners to supplement this water intake if plants are not getting it naturally. Check out the list of plants below that McConnell believes will keep your winter garden in bloom.
Banana Split® Daphne
This plant blooms in the late winter when pink buds turn into “wonderfully fragrant” white flowers, offering a bit of cheerfulness in the colder months, McConnell says. The blooms cluster along upright stems, creating a soft, elegant look that feels especially welcome in winter. Its variegated green-and-cream leaves add brightness even when the plant isn’t in flower.
Camellia
McConnell describes Camellia as the perfect example of a plant that truly thrives in the winter. This plant blooms slowly, offering extended beauty. Its glossy, dark green leaves provide a polished backdrop for large, rose-like flowers that range from soft pink to deep red and creamy white.
Emerald Boxer™ Holly
Evergreens are essential for any winter garden. Holly is a more versatile choice, perfect for both shearing or “creating a brilliant emerald green hedge,” McConnell notes. Its small, dense leaves create a clean, sculpted look, while its rich green color stays vibrant through the colder months.
Cherry Berries™ Wintergreen
A beautiful landscape plant, Cherry Berries boast bright red berries from fall till spring. The glossy berries sit against low, dark green foliage, creating a striking contrast that feels especially festive in winter. It works well as a ground cover, too, adding color and texture at eye level.
Gold Coast® Pittosporum
Keeping your winter garden bright, this plant offers “gorgeous glowing” lime-green foliage that contrasts with dark, elegant stems, McConnell says. The leaves are soft and rounded, giving the plant a full, luminous appearance even on gray days. Its bold color makes it an easy focal point in an otherwise muted winter garden.
Don’t let your garden falter in the colder months when these plants offer the opportunity to keep it not just alive, but vibrant.
