Trees or Plants To Help Your Garden Stay Beautiful in Winter

The winter months cover the landscape in a blanket of snow. The green needles of conifers provide a beautiful contrast to the stark white stuff on the ground and in their branches. While this combination is pretty to look at, there is more you can do in your yard to add splashes of colour that will last all year.

Canada’s winters can be long. For at least three to four months out of the year, cold temperatures and snowy conditions persist. There are numerous plants, trees and shrubs that thrive during the fall and winter months, making your garden a space you can enjoy year-round (even if only through your windows for part of that time!) A professional tree service can help you organize and plant your new trees and shrubs.

Which Plants Give You the Most Winter Color?

While there are several types of plants that can survive the winter, when adding colour and life to your garden, choose ones that do not go dormant underground. Some plants bloom into the winter months, while others have hardy leaves or colourful stems that give your yard vibrancy:

• Red twig dogwood: This plant will stick around all year, and its bright red stem looks great amidst the white and green of snow and evergreens.

• Hyssop: For a dash of colour in your yard and flavour for your soups and teas, chose this herb for your garden. As an added bonus, you can use it to treat bronchitis.

• Lily of the valley: These flowers survive in a wide range of soils and plant conditions. Beware, though — this super-hardy species can take over your yard if you aren’t careful!

• Purrsian blue catmint: This is another good plant to add to your garden for its ability to survive winter. It blooms through fall, but the leaves turn silver during the cold months of the year.

Which Trees and Shrubs Add the Most Beauty to Your Yard?

Conifers aren’t the only trees that can give colour to the winter landscape. There are several shrubs that can provide you with a wider variety of growth and colour in your yard.

Birch

While this is a deciduous tree — which means it loses its leaves every fall — the white bark of the tree provides a stark contrast to the brown and green conifers, particularly when snow is lacking. They are also very resilient and do well in the Canadian climate.

Japanese Maple

The Japanese maple is another deciduous tree that provides a burst of colour even when the last of the yellow fall leaves are gone. The bark of this tree is a brilliant red. At a full height of up to 20 feet, it can become a gorgeous focal point for your yard in the winter months.

Winterberry

This shrub is a winter favourite, particularly for its use as a Christmas decoration. The red berries last throughout the fall and winter months, providing colour in your yard and a food source for our area’s birds.

Snowberry

Another favourite food for birds, the berries of the snowberry shrub come in white, pink or red. The bulbs and berries begin to grow in the fall and last throughout the winter.

Siberian Cypress

If it can withstand a Siberian winter, it is sure to last through a Canadian one! The leaves are green during the warmer months, but as the temperatures drop, they turn a deep shade of purple-brown.

Japanese Yew

This is a great plant to choose for its flexibility. It does well as a potted plant or as ground cover. If it isn’t cut back, it grows more like a tree and can reach up to 50 feet tall!

Martin’s Tree Service

Let Martin’s Tree Service help you with your landscaping needs. Our passion for trees and our expertise is evident in everything we do. Contact us today to request a quote or schedule an appointment.