Beautiful Winter Plants

Small spring flowers are followed by white fruit that attracts birds, but in winter, bright yellow-green twigs make this dogwood stand out. Prune out one-third of the oldest wood each spring for best bark color.

Type Shrub Best Winter Feature Bright yellow-green stems Light Full sun to part shade Size 5 to 8 ft. tall, 5 to 9 ft. wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 2 to 8

This beautiful grass is a bit more compact than most maiden grass cultivars, and its plumes hold up well through winter. Cut it back to a few inches tall in early spring.

Type Perennial Best Winter Feature Sturdy flower plumes last through winter Light Full sun Size 4 to 6 ft. tall, 3 to 4 ft. wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9

Japanese skimmia's small white spring flowers are followed by bright-red fruit on the female plants in late fall to winter.You'll need one male plant for every six females to get lots of those pretty berries that attract birds but deer pass by. It's a great shrub for shade gardens big and small. Once the berries are gone, its evergreen foliage will be an eye-catching asset to your winter border.

Type Shrub Best Winter Feature Red berries and pink flower buds in winter Light Part shade Size 3 to 4 ft. tall and wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9

Blooming on bare branches in mid- to late winter, ‘Diane’ witchhazel’s tiny red tassel-like blossoms open on warm days then curl up when the temperatures dip again. This shrub needs consistent moisture to avoid scorching its green summer leaves that change to bright red in fall.

Type Shrub Best Winter Feature Red tassel-like flowers in mid- to late winter Light Part sun Size 8 to 12 ft. tall, 10 to 15 ft. wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8

In late winter these small yellow flowers hint that spring is on the way. Plant the tubers in early fall in a spot that get plenty of sun while they're in bloom. Under deciduous trees is a great choice since winter aconite goes dormant by late spring. Group in clusters of at least 8 to 10 for the most impact.

Type Tuber Best Winter Feature Yellow flowers in midwinter Light Full to part sun Size 2 to 3 in. tall and wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 7

Paperbark maple is small enough to fit into almost any garden. The dark green leaves turn orange and red in the fall, although the peeling, cinnamon-brown bark is the real show-stopper in winter months.

Type Tree Best Winter Feature Peeling, cinnamon-brown bark Light Full to part sun Size 20 to 30 ft. tall, 15 to 25 ft. wide Hardiness Cold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8