6 Plants That Thrive in a Frozen Garden

Bright red and orange shrubs by a waterway in a winter garden scene — Bright red and yellow dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) stems in a winter garden. Credit:
Jacky Parker Photography / Getty Images

When temperatures plunge, it's easy to give up on gardening. Venturing outside can feel like a chore, and many of your beautiful blooms won't reappear until spring or summer. However, there are a few plants that can thrive even when it's frigid out. So while you won't be digging around in the soil this time of year, there are still plenty of ways to add color and vibrancy to a winter garden. Below, a few plants and shrubs that can beautify your yard, even as the temperature plummets.

01 of 06

Dogwood

Closeup view of red plant stems growing outdoors — Credit:
Massimiliano Finzi / Getty Images

The right shrub adds a fun splash of color, even during the winter.

"Many dogwoods (Cornus spp.) have vibrantly colored stems that are more noticeable after the leaves drop in fall," says Laura Irish-Hanson, a horticulture educator at the University of Minnesota.

For the most intense colors, she suggests pruning older stems every year or two in late winter. "[They] typically dull to a grey-ish color over time," she adds. You may also need to protect these plants from pests, like rabbits, which chew on the bark during fall and winter.

Zones: 5 to 10
Mature size: About 20 feet tall x 20 feet wide (for tree variety)
Care requirements: Partial shade, moist but well-drained soil, a little acidity is good

02 of 06

Club Moss

Snowcovered plants with upright needlelike leaves — Credit:
Ian Jamsa / Getty Images

For a whimsical look, consider growing various club mosses (Lycopodium) as a ground cover. Found naturally on forest floors, these plants look like miniature conifer trees and grow to be a few inches tall. Despite their name, they aren't actually mosses.

In winter, these plants poke above the snowline, turning your chilly garden into a tiny, forested landscape.

Zones: Varies; a species of club moss can be found for nearly any zone
Mature size: Varies; around 6 inches tall
Care requirements: Shade, may enjoy acidic soil

03 of 06

Winterberry Holly

Branches laden with clusters of red berries in a wintery setting — Credit:
aimintang / Getty Images

For a spectacular show of red color, try planting winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata). When the leaves fade and fall in the autumn, you'll be left with the beautiful sight of a small shrub covered in brilliant red berries. Birds love them, too!

Zones: 3 to 9
Mature size: Varies, about 6 feet tall or more
Care requirements: Full sun for berry production, moist soil

04 of 06

Yew

Snow resting on evergreen tree branches — Credit:
Kristel Saxton / Getty Images

In the right setting, a yew (Taxus spp.) can be a beautiful shrub with winter appeal.

"[They] are common evergreen species that continue to look great after frost," says Irish-Hanson. "The dark green needles retain their color throughout the year when they're planted in areas protected from the blustery winds and intense afternoon sunlight."

Zones: 4 to 7
Mature size: Varies; many grown as shrubs are kept at about 5 to 10 feet tall
Care requirements: Full shade to full sun, moist but well-drained soil

05 of 06

Blue Oatgrass

A bushy ornamental grass in a garden — Credit:
Natalia Naberezhnaia / Getty Images

The right grass can add a unique aesthetic to your winter garden.

"Many hardy, cool-season ornamental grasses will continue to thrive after experiencing some light frosts in fall in the upper Midwest," says Irish-Hanson. "One popular species is blue oatgrass (Helictotrichon sempervirens). While growth significantly slows in autumn, the blue-grey blades persist throughout the fall and into winter."

Zones: 3 to 8
Mature size: 24 to 36 inches tall by 24 to 36 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun, moist but well-drained soil

06 of 06

Dwarf Blue Spruce

Closeup branches of a conifer tree against a sky background — Credit:
Sharon Talson / Getty images

There's something spectacular about the blue-green needles of a blue spruce. If your home landscape can't support a full-grown tree—or if want to grow something small for the garden—then a dwarf variety of Picea is a more manageable size.

Its color won't go anywhere in winter, as the spruce can thrive even in freezing temperatures.