Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Holidays
  • Gardening
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Shop
  • Rooms
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Family
  • Pets
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 of the Most Common Perennial Garden Mistakes to Avoid

      Are your plants not looking as lush and colorful as you hoped? Make sure you haven't made any of these missteps. Read More Next
    • 6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      A professional organizer offers advice on how to tidy up your home without feeling overwhelmed. Read More Next
    • 5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      Anti-inflammatory smoothies do exist! Instead of blending in boatloads of sugar and artificial ingredients, try these smoothies for inflammation that are stoked with ingredients that may help lower your risk for chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Read More Next
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays

    International Women’s Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 109-Year-Old Tradition

    What began as a small movement in 1908 has become a global holiday dedicated to celebrating the strong women in our communities.
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Halloween
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See All Gardening

    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    Upcycle old newspapers, junk mail, and other waste paper to make these easy, eco-friendly containers you can use to sprout new plants for your garden.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See All Recipes and Cooking

    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    If you’re a beginner baker who’s just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We’ll help you set up a baking kit for beginners with 21 essential tools. For those who already own these tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflĆ© dish. Building your essential baking toolbox starts here!
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See All Decorating

    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    Designers weigh in on the most popular decorating styles, colors, and materials you can look forward to in the coming year.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See All Home Improvement Ideas

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See All Cleaning and Organizing

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Shop
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See All Rooms

    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • News
  • Beauty & Style

    Beauty & Style

    See All Beauty & Style

    Here's Exactly How to Find Your Perfect Nude Nail Color

    Truth be told, there's no such thing as a universal nude.
    • Anti-Aging
    • Hair
    • Skin Care
    • Makeup
    • Style
    • Nails
  • Health & Family

    Health & Family

    See All Health & Family

    7 Small But Impactful Ways to Fit Self-Care Into Your Day Right Now

    Staying atop of your wellbeing is a must, especially during uncertain, stressful times. These tips will help you make time for self-care for a mental health boost every day.
    • Family Activities
    • Reunions
    • Conditions
    • Parenting Skills
  • Pets

    Pets

    See All Pets

    50 Perfect Calico Cat Names for Your Beautiful Kitty

    Use your pet's unique coat as inspiration on what to call them.
    • Dogs and Puppies
    • Cats
    • Caring for Your Pet
  • Local Services

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Insider
  • BH&G Magazine Archive
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Gardening
  3. Trees, Shrubs & Vines
  4. Shrubs
  5. Shrubs with Winter Interest
Green Space

Shrubs with Winter Interest

June 08, 2015
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
A winter landscape has a beauty all its own. An unexpected plant feature -- winter blooms that perfume the air, bright berries, colorful or textured foliage or unusual bark -- add a welcome element to gardens. These winter shrubs will not disappoint.
Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Winterberry or Deciduous Holly

Winterberry or deciduous holly punctuates winter with its showy berry display that draws the eye, no matter where it sits in the landscape. Unlike the evergreen holly that boasts the glossy green foliage and bright red berries, winterberry sheds its leaves each autumn. Some cultivars to look for are 'Sparkleberry' or 'Winter Red'.  Suggested male pollinators are 'Apollo' or 'Southern Gentleman'.

 

Name: Ilex verticillata

Growing Conditions: full sun; moist acidic soils

Size: 3–15 feet tall

Zones: 3–9

Origin: North America

  • Learn about the best berry plants for birds.
  • Learn about winter care for potted shrubs.

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Firethorn

Bright orange-red berries adorn this plant in winter and are its best attribute. It’s an evergreen to semi-evergreen; its leaves might turn a green-brown in fall and winter. It can be used in a hedge or espaliered against a wall or on a trellis. Hardy cultivars to look for are ‘Lalandei’, ‘Mohave’, and Yukon Belle.

Name: Pyracantha coccinea

Growing Conditions: partial shade to full sun; well-drained soil

Size: 3–20 feet tall; 6–15 feet wide

Zones: 5–9, depending on the cultivar

Origin: Southern Europe, Turkey

  • Get 7 tips for a beautiful winter garden.

2 of 15

3 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Sky Pencil Holly

'Sky Pencil', a Japanese holly in a tall, narrow, columnar form, adds vertical structure to the winter garden. Both 'Sky Pencil' and the new Patti O fit into small spaces. Their small, tightly packed leaves look similar to boxwood foliage. Grow in containers and let them serve as evergreen sentries at an entrance, or grow in the landscape as a single plant or in a row to define a space.

Name: Ilex crenata

Growing Conditions: partial to full sun

Size: 2–12 feet tall; about 1 foot wide, depending on cultivar.  Patty O, 3–4 feet; Sky Pencil, 6–8 feet tall

Zones: 5–8, depending cultivar

Origin: Japan and other areas of Asia

  • Learn how to protect shrubs from winter damage.

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Edgeworthia/Paperbush

Edgeworthia, also known as paperbush, is a multibranched shrub that drops its leaves in mid-December to reveal a bare silhouette of beautiful bark and flower buds composing white and yellow clusters that open from December through early April, depending on the cultivar. The strong fragrance evokes springtime in the depths of winter. Look for 'Snow Cream', 'Gold Rush', and 'John Bryant'. 

Name: Edgeworthia chrysantha

Growing Conditions: Partial sun to shade; rich, moist soil with excellent drainage

Size: 3–8 feet tall; up to 6 feet wide

Zones: 7–9; in protected areas in Zone 6

Origin: China

  • Learn more about paperbush in our Plant Encyclopedia!

4 of 15

5 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub that accents winter. Delicate, threadlike petals bloom from late fall to early spring on this multistemmed rounded plant. In addition to its petals, which curl up at night but unfurl on a sunny day, it emits a lovely fragrance, a pleasant surprise in the depths of cold weather. Flowers range from yellow to red, depending on the cultivar. Cultivars to consider are ‘Advent’, bright yellow blooms; ‘Ruby Glow’ for copper-red; and ‘Jelena’ for red toward base, orange in the middle, and yellow at the tip.

Name: Hamamelis

Growing Conditions: full sun or slight shade; rich soil with good drainage

Size: 8–20 feet tall; up to 12 feet wide

Zones: 3–9

Origin: North America, Japan, China

  • Witch hazel looks beautiful in fall too -- learn more in our Plant Encyclopedia!

5 of 15

6 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Winter Daphne

Winter Daphne is a rounded evergreen shrub with variegated leaves edged in yellow and blooms that appear in late winter to early spring. The rosy pinkish purple flower buds open to light pink or white star-shape blooms. It's stunning in the winter garden and its sweetly perfumed fragrance can snap you out of the winter doldrums. Plant it close to an entry or patio so you can enjoy it.

Name: Daphne odora

Growing Conditions: partial shade to full sun; rich soil with excellent drainage. It doesn't like to be transplanted or disturbed.

Size: Up to 4 feet tall and wide

Zones: 7–9

Origin: China

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Cold-Hardy Camellias

An evergreen plant with beautiful white or pink blooms will have you doing a double-take. The stunning blooms startle everyone in the cold months. This nice, unexpected surprise is an endearing quality. Thanks to breeding efforts at the U.S. National Arboretum, a winter series of camellias are now on the market, extending it beyond the South where it is a beloved plant. Look for 'Polar Ice', 'Snow Flurry', 'Winter's Hope', 'Winter's Rose', 'Winter's Star', and 'Winter's Charm'.

Name: Camellia, with C. oleifera used in the hybrids

Growing Conditions: light shade in summer; protection from winter wind

Size: Up to 10 feet; 4–5 feet wide, depending on cultivar

Zones: 6b–9

Origin: China

7 of 15

8 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Red Osier Dogwood

Red osier dogwood, sometimes called red willow or red twig dogwood, is a deciduous shrub. The bright green bark, twigs and leaves of spring and summer turn to a deep red to burgundy in fall. The leaves drop in fall, fully revealing the rich color and structural element of the red stems.  Some cultivars – ‘Flaviramea’ or ‘White Gold’ are available that boast yellow stems instead of red and are sometimes called Golden-twig Dogwood.

Name: Cornus sericea

Growing Conditions: moderate to full sun; likes moist soils and wetland areas.

Size: 4–19 feet tall

Zones: 2–7

Origin: North America

  • Explore more dogwood varieties.
  • Learn more ways to add color to your winter garden.

8 of 15

9 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick

We love the name of this upright, treelike, deciduous shrub. While the twisting, spiraling, corkscrew branches provide year-round interest, it’s best known for the visual interest it provides when it sheds its leaves to fully reveal the contorted branches. Make sure to place this plant where you can enjoy its distinct and architectural form all winter. In late winter, showy 2- to 3-inch yellow catkins hang from its branches. Even though it is a filbert or hazelnut, it rarely produces nuts.

Name: Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’

Growing Conditions: sun, partial shade; well-drained, alkaline soils

Size: 8–10 feet tall and wide

Zones: 4–8

Origin: Europe, western Asia and northern Africa

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Blue Holly

Blue holly, sometimes referred to as Meserve holly, is more suited to colder climates than other hollies, being able to withstand the cold temperatures in Zone 4. This broad-leaved evergreen has dense, deep green, glossy foliage and reddish purple stems. Its berries are dark red. It is referred to as blue holly due to its almost blue-green foliage and due to the numerous cultivars using the blue name. Among them ‘China Boy’ (pictured), ‘Blue Boy’, ‘Blue Girl’, ‘Blue Prince’, ‘Blue Princess’, ‘Blue Maid’, and ‘Blue Stallion’.

Name: Ilex X meserveae

Growing Conditions: full sun, but can tolerate partial shade; well-drained soil

Size: 8–15 feet high; 4 feet wide, depending on the cultivar

Zones: 4–6

10 of 15

11 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Inkberry Holly

Inkberry is yet another option when it comes of the numerous hollies to consider. It is among the toughest hollies for winter conditions. Inkberry is named for its abundance of black berries during the winter. The evergreen shrub is compact with deep green lustrous foliage, which might become lighter green in summer. Compact cultivars to consider are 'Shamrock' (3– 5 feet) or 'Compact' (4–6 feet).

Name: Ilex glabra

Growing conditions: full sun to full shade; prefers moist soils but somewhat adaptable to dry soils

Size: 4–8 feet tall; up to 8 feet wide, depending on cultivar

Zones: 4–10; more hardy than Ilex crenata for tough winters

Origin: North America

11 of 15

12 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Japanese False Cypress

An evergreen shrub with a fine, soft needle or threadlike appearance, 'Golden Mop' is one of the false cypress cultivars that adds a bright golden green color to the landscape, which is a delightful contrast to darker evergreens. It forms a ground-hugging mound and is actually shaggy or moplike in appearance. Make sure to request 'Golden Mop' or one of the dwarf cultivars such as 'Dwarf Gold Thread' or you could end up with a towering tree.

Name: Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop'

Growing Conditions: partial to full sun; average to fertile well-drained soil

Size: 3–6 feet high and wide

Zones: 4–8

Origin: Japan

  • Learn how to prepare your garden for winter.

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Prostrate Deodar Cedar

Deodar cedar is a tree that grows quite tall but the shrub form hugs the ground. Its deep steel-blue to silvery blue color adds winter interest. The plant is multistemmed with a mounded, irregular form and the foliage has a fine texture. Look for ‘Prostrate Beauty’ or ‘Feeling Blue’, which exhibit prostate and compact growth.

Name: Cedrus deodara

Growing Conditions: full sun; adaptable to dry and moist conditions

Size: 2 feet tall; 6 feet wide

Zones: 5a–7

Origin: Western Himalayas

13 of 15

14 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Dwarf Arborvitae

Arborvitae is a small to medium evergreen that is commonly used as foundation plantings or as hedges or screens, and can grow quite tall, 8–20 feet.  While it might add the evergreen backbone to a landscape, it isn't that exciting. Some new varieties, though, are worth a look. These dwarf varieties work well in small gardens, even containers or window boxes. Gold foliage options are 'Filip's Magic Moment', which grows to about 6–8 feet in an upright, conical shape.  Anna's Magic Ball is a cute little ball of a plant that grows to 10–15 inches. Its globe shape is perfect for a winter window box or as a filler plant to add pops of color in your landscape.

Name: Thuja occidentalis

Growing Conditions: partial to full sun; well-drained soil

Size: 1–15 feet; up to 3 feet, depending on the cultivar

Zones: 3–7

Origin: North America

  • Learn how to use evergreens to make an impact in your landscape.
  • Browse trees with winter landscape interest.

14 of 15

15 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

How to Prune Shrubs

Learn when and how to prune your beautiful winterful shrubs.

    

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Green Space
View Series
  • How to Aerate Your Lawn
  • How to Winterize Your Lawn
  • Perennials the Test Garden Loves
  • Easy Ornamental Grasses
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 15 Winterberry or Deciduous Holly
2 of 15 Firethorn
3 of 15 Sky Pencil Holly
4 of 15 Edgeworthia/Paperbush
5 of 15 Witch Hazel
6 of 15 Winter Daphne
7 of 15 Cold-Hardy Camellias
8 of 15 Red Osier Dogwood
9 of 15 Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick
10 of 15 Blue Holly
11 of 15 Inkberry Holly
12 of 15 Japanese False Cypress
13 of 15 Prostrate Deodar Cedar
14 of 15 Dwarf Arborvitae
15 of 15 How to Prune Shrubs

Share options

Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Shop | Better Homes & Gardens

  • Raised Garden Kits
  • Arbors
  • Gazebos
  • Pots & Planters
  • Trellises
  • Gardening Tools
  • Perennials
  • Garden Bridges
  • Rain Barrels
  • Shades & Structures
  • Shop More Next

Better Homes & Gardens may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website.

  • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Logo Products at Walmart
  • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Real Estate Real Estate Services
Better Homes & Gardens

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Books from Better Homes & Gardens
  • Help
  • Media Kit
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
BH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.bhg.com

View image

Shrubs with Winter Interest
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.