Most people think of winter as a grey, dour time. With all that snow dominating the winter landscape and your plants dormant until spring, it’s normal for many homeowners to want a little extra colour to balance out all the monotony.
Finding the right plants and trees for sale is a great way to add that colour and keep your garden visually interesting through the holidays. Here’s a list of some ideas for winter plants that can make your landscape pop this winter.
1.Pansy
Pansies, and related flowers like violas, are a great pick for winter bedding plants. You can sow your flowers in June or July, and the young plants start emerging come fall. Winter-flowering pansies can keep blooming well into late spring, taking short breaks only during very cold spells. They come in a wide range of colours, both solid and bicolour, giving you plenty of options to decorate your garden as you see fit. Pansies have flexible uses, from the garden border to flowerpots to hanging baskets. Place yours in strategic areas to liven up the indoors.
2.Winter aconite
Perennials and bulbs are a reliable choice for winter; they’re excellent at surviving the cold, and they come back year after year. Winter aconite is a particularly striking choice. These flowers feature appealing yellow blooms and are well-suited for planting underneath your trees and shrubs. As a bonus, rodents and deer tend to leave winter aconites alone. If you have a recurring problem with pests eating your flowers, these may be a good pick for your garden.
3.Cyclamen
Cyclamens are great winter heroes you can count on to up your garden appeal. They come in different shades of red, pink, and white, allowing them to contrast the snow and other plants in your yard. While many cyclamens make good potted plants, they also work well as bedding plants in more temperate areas. They’re especially good at brightening up those areas under your shade trees. Other plants tend to struggle in such areas, but cyclamens can thrive and add some contrast to your trees. Those shady spots also keep the cyclamens shaded during spring and summer while allowing them more sun in winter.
4.Holly
Hollies are striking winter plants, featuring evergreen leaves paired with bright red or gold berries. There are a variety of different holly plants to choose from to suit the needs of different homeowners. Dwarf hollies can fit in containers, allowing you to set them by the door and add to your holiday decor. You can also plant larger varieties of holly to make some screens or hedges as a border. Consider looking into other berry-bearing shrubs to add more visual contrast to your garden. Beautyberries feature purple fruit, while firethorns boast yellow, orange, or fiery-red berries. Whichever you choose, remember to put these plants in front of a solid backdrop to give the berries centre stage.
5.Camellia
Camellias come in a range of varieties that bloom throughout winter, adding a touch of spice to the garden. Different types of camellias come in a range of colours, including white, pink, red, or bi-coloured. All these choices make it much easier to find camellias that match your tastes. Camellias are also evergreens, meaning they hold their looks long after the blooms fade.
6.Witch hazel
When it comes to visual appeal, witch hazel offers some interesting ideas. Its blooms offer different shades of yellow and orange to add points of interest to your landscape, particularly if you have other plants to contrast it. You can also get some extra mileage out of witch hazel if you plant early. In fall, the foliage is a striking gold, allowing it to pull double duty for complementing the seasons. Witch hazel also boasts a sweet fragrance, which can help set the mood when set in the right places. Plant them near your porch and windows to catch a whiff of the perfume. It’s also a great way to make a good impression on visitors.
7.Calendula
In places with milder winters, calendula is a great pick. From late fall to early spring, they give your garden a striking sunny appearance to brighten up the winter. Calendulas come in orange and bright yellow, as well as subtler shades of apricot and cream. In the garden, they give you a great mass of colour to spice up your landscape. They also work well as vase plants so you can use them to add variety indoors as well. These plants take full sun and moderate water, and can tolerate a wide range of soils as long as they have good drainage.
8.Winter jasmine
Winter jasmines feature slendy, willowy stems that stand out prominently in a winter landscape. Their bright yellow flowers bloom in winter or early spring, followed by three-leafleted leaves. If unsupported, winter jasmines can reach over a metre in height. However, winter jasmines also work well as climbing plants. Give them a wall or fence for support and they can grow up over 4 metres high. This quality also makes winter jasmine a great addition for archways and low walls, so consider planting them when you want an eye-catching feature for your garden walks.
9.English primrose
While many varieties of primrose bloom in spring or summer, English primroses (and the fairy and Chinese variety) start in winter. They come in a variety of colours, giving you plenty of choices when looking for the right match for your gardening tastes. English primroses are also a flexible plant that can work well in different areas. They’re a good match for your garden bed and borders and also do well in containers. One interior decorating tip recommends English primroses to brighten up your interior decor.
10.Hellebore
Hellebores, also known as Lenten roses, are a robust and rewarding garden plant. In warmer climes, they can bloom in early winter. Meanwhile, in colder areas, they tend to bloom later in the season, leading to their other name: Christmas roses. Hellebores come in a variety of colours, including white, red, black, and pink. Even though they bloom in winter, hellebores persist long afterward, making them a great long-term investment. They’re also undemanding and low-maintenance, which makes caring for them a much easier prospect.
With all the great options out there, it often takes a professional eye to help you decide what works best for your property given your unique environment. When it comes to helping you choose the right trees for your home, Caledon Treeland is here for you. Give us a call now at (905) 880-1828 for expert help with all your tree-related needs.