17 Winter Container Plants That Will Brighten Up a Bleak Garden

Stone garden arrangement with spring flowers in large concrete plant pots. Close up of helleborus flowers also known as snow rose. — Credit: NRuedisueli / Getty Images

There's no denying that the garden can look bleak in winter. Summer and fall-blooming varieties have lost their flowers and many trees drop their leaves once temperatures begin to dip. But you can still add charm to your landscape with winter container plants. Many frost-tolerant varieties flourish in containers during winter, providing color and texture when everything else in your yard is past its prime. Ahead, we're sharing expert-recommended winter container plants that will survive the chilly season.

01 of 17

Red Twig Dogwood

Red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) can survive in areas that experience freezing winter temperatures. "Its red leaves (or gold if you go with the yellow variety) provide a striking contrast against a snowy background," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms. "No pruning is required over the winter, but you may want to water it if the soil in the container dries out." It's a wonderful addition to large containers.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 6 to 9 feet tall x 8 to 12 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; acidic, well-draining soil

02 of 17

Green-and-Gold

Green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) provides a beautiful and enduring display even in the middle of winter, with its striking evergreen foliage that forms a spreading mat, says Mary Phillips, head of native plant habitat strategy and certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. In early spring it will yield beautiful yellow daisy-like blooms.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall 36 to 48 inches wide
Care requirements: Partial to full shade; average, moist soil

03 of 17

Moss Phlox

Moss phlox (Phlox subulata) is a deer-resistant ground cover that produces lush, evergreen foliage that remains vibrant throughout winter, says Phillips. In early spring, a profusion of delicate blooms forms. "Phlox’s cold-hardy nature and compact growth habit make it an ideal choice for winter containers in zones 3 to 9," she says.

Zone: 3 to 9
Size: 6 inches tall x 24 to 36 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil

04 of 17

Hellebore

Hellebores (Helleborus spp.) add elegance to winter containers with their bell-shaped blooms that stay healthy even in snowy conditions. "This versatile perennial is available in various foliage textures, bloom colors, and blooming periods," says Phillips.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil

05 of 17

Dusty Miller

Dusty miller (Jacobaea maritima) has silver, velvety leaves that offer texture and contrast in winter containers. Laura Walsh, director of marketing for Oasis Forage Products especially loves how this plant looks alongside winter pansies (Viola hiemalis). "These plants grow well in cool temperatures, and their resilient nature and unique colors make them ideal for growing in cutting garden containers and arranging indoors, creating a cozy winter display," she says.

Zones: 7 to 11
Size: 12 inches tall or more x 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; slightly moist, well-drained soil

06 of 17

Viola

Another beautiful pairing for pansies is viola (Viola spp.). "In areas that only get heavy frosts, pansy and viola are charming, colorful choices that can flower throughout the winter months," says Hancock. "They’re one of the best plants for customizing your look because they come in just about every color you could ask for, from white to dark, purple-black. Keep them well watered and fertilize periodically over the winter for the biggest bloom show."

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 4 to 10 inches tall x 4 to 10 inches wide
Care requirements: Full to partial sun; moist, well-draining soil

07 of 17

Flowering Kale

Ornamental purple cabbage — promicrostockraw / Getty Images

Frost-tolerant flowering kale (Brassica oleracea) will add color to winter containers throughout the entire season. "Flowering kale is pretty low-maintenance, too," says Hancock "They typically don’t require pruning and really just need some water if they don’t get regular rainfall or snowfall."

Zones: 2 to 11
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, rich loamy soil

08 of 17

Hens-and-Chicks

green hen and chicks plant growing in terra cotta pot outdoors — LuckyBusiness/Getty Images

Although considered a succulent, hens-and-chicks (Sempervivum) can last through the winter. "Hens-and-chicks are great additions to sunny containers. They require little attention and surprise many people that they can survive the winter," says Roger Davis, outdoor landscape manager in the east section at Longwood Gardens.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun, part shade, light fertilizing

09 of 17

Wild Thyme

Add fragrance to winter containers with wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum alba). "Wild thyme is a great evergreen trailing thyme that is beautiful and smells wonderful," says Davis, adding that wild thyme is a great companion plant with hens-and-chicks.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 2 to 3 inches tall x 3 to 10 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

10 of 17

Japanese Sweet Flag

Japanese sweet flag (Acorus gramineus 'Ogon') has beautiful golden foliage that adds soft texture to the edge of containers, says Davis. "It looks amazing all winter and will bring a splash of color to the winter season," he adds.

Zones: 6 to 9
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; damp soil

11 of 17

Winter Jasmine

Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) has beautiful arching green stems that add texture and height to containers all winter. "This flowering shrub will bring a bright yellow splash of color to let you know the grip of winter is over," says Davis.

Zones: 6 to 10
Size: 10 to 15 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; well-drained soil

12 of 17

Mahonia

Mahonia (Mahonia spp.) has intricate leaves that offer year-round interest. "Mahonia are wonderful architectural plants that produce yellow flowers during the winter," says David. "They do best in shade with some protection from the winter wind."

Zones: 7 to 10
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Part shade; well-drained soil

13 of 17

Singleseed Juniper

Juniperus squamata Blue Star. Flaky Juniper — Julia Senkevych / Getty Images

For winter containers in sunny locations, singleseed juniper (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star') is a beautiful choice. "Singleseed juniper provides an evergreen cushion of blue foliage for a sunny spot," says Davis, adding that deer seem to leave this plant alone.

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil

14 of 17

Myrtle Spurge

Fill in containers with myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites), which prefers sunny and dry conditions. "Its prostrate stems can trail down the side of a container and will burst into amazing bloom in late winter and early spring," says Davis.

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; dry, well-drained soil

15 of 17

European Wild Ginger

Asarum europaeum grows in the forest — Orest Lyzhechka / Getty Images

A beautiful evergreen groundcover, European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum) is a perfect choice for shady containers. "The glossy circular leaves provide a bold texture that will contrast with feathery textured companion plants," says Davis.

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Partial sun; moist, rich soil

16 of 17

All Gold Forest Grass

Hakonechloa macra aureola growing in a pot on a patio — Photos by R A Kearton / Getty Images

Forest grass (Hakonechloa spp.) adds texture to winter containers. "Hakonechloa 'All Gold' is a unicorn in the container gardening world," says Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development at Terra Nova Nurseries. This variety softens harsh designs with its graceful foliage and habit. "At the first frost, 'All Gold' changes to a mellow wheaten color. The foliage is gorgeous with either frost or snow on it and never becomes weedy," Pavlich adds. Many other varieties of forest grass are equally lovely, like Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' shown above.

Zones: 6 to 9
Size: 10 inches tall x 20 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

17 of 17

Heuchera

Heuchera (Heuchera spp.), shown above, is a beautiful foliage plant for containers and gardens. For a specific variety, consider heuchera 'Changeling,' which is a chameleon in containers. "The variable yet muted color palette inspires other colored foliage in a container," says Pavlich. "Pink, salmon, burnished gold, taupe, tan, and moss green are in constant flux over the foliage."