10 Plants That’ll Easily Survive the Winter

I know how frustrating it can be to watch your garden disappear under a blanket of frost each winter. After a few seasons of trial and error, I’ve learned which plants are tough enough to handle the cold and keep my garden looking lively, even in the dead of winter. It’s comforting to see some greens and blooms when everything else is dormant.

If you’re tired of saying goodbye to your plants each winter, here are 10 stalwart outdoor plants that I’ve found will stick with you through the cold months.

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Coneflowers are the resilient type, like those favorite jeans you can count on season after season. While their vibrant purple may fade with the frost, they’re not giving up. Come spring, they’ll bounce back just as lively.

For a successful revival, full sun is key. As winter approaches, cut back the dead stems and tuck them in with a cozy layer of mulch. This bit of care ensures they’ll be ready to greet you with their cheerful blooms once the warm weather returns.

Colorado Blue Spruce

The Colorado Blue Spruce isn’t just for Christmas. This sturdy evergreen, hailing from the rugged Rockies, thrives in the cold, maintaining its striking blue-green hue throughout the harshest winters.

Planting one in a container brings a slice of winter wonderland to your porch or garden space year-round. Remember, a good layer of mulch can help insulate those container roots when temperatures really start to plummet.

Double Shot Grape Azalea

Double Shot Grape Azalea breaks the mold with its ability to bloom in late summer and then again in spring. Its leaves stay green throughout winter, offering a persistent splash of color even after the purple flowers have disappeared.

Hardy and compact, it’s perfect for dressing up a porch in a container where it can enjoy some sheltered, filtered light. And if a cold snap hits unexpectedly, wrapping your plant in blankets or burlap can give it just enough warmth to weather the chill.

Ornamental Kale

Ornamental kale is like the vibrant scarf you throw on to brighten a drab winter coat. With its richly colored leaves that get even more intense as the temperature drops, it’s a stunning addition to any cold-weather garden.

You can plant them late in the summer, and they’ll stick with you through the frosts, down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Whether you’re growing them for their good looks or to eventually harvest, they’ll keep your garden lively without needing much more than some sunshine and rich, well-drained soil.

Glory of the Snow

Glory of the Snow is one of those early bloomers that can surprise you just when you think winter will never end. It pops up often while there’s still snow on the ground, bringing a splash of blue to the thawing landscape.

This little bulb is tough, thriving in chilly climes and lighting up the garden with minimal fuss. Plant it where it can bask in the full sun or dapple in a bit of shade, and it’ll reward you with a cheerful display just when you need it most.

Hellebore

Hellebores are real troopers in the winter garden. When most plants are dormant, these start to perk up, offering a spectrum of colors from pink to white that can really lift your spirits in the colder months.

They keep their greenery all year, which helps the garden stay lively even when it’s frosty outside. They’re not too fussy either; a little shade and some regular watering are all they need to keep going strong.

Dwarf Snowball

Dwarf Snowball shrubs are straightforward and durable. They don’t need much attention to thrive, just a sunny spot with partial shade and well-draining soil. In return, they provide beautiful white blooms from late fall right through winter.

A layer of mulch around the base is enough to keep the roots protected from freezing temperatures. It’s a dependable plant that adds brightness during the darkest months, without any hassle.

Daylily

Daylilies are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it plant. These rugged beauties can thrive just about anywhere, from the side of a highway to the slopes of a hill, and of course, in your garden. They come in a wide variety of colors and shapes, ensuring that no matter your taste, there’s a daylily to match.

While they’re low maintenance, giving them a little TLC by dividing them every few years helps keep the blooms coming. But even if you neglect them, they’ll stick around, proving their resilience year after year.

Hosta

Hostas are the champions of the shade garden, bringing life and color to the darker corners of your yard. With their vast array of colors, sizes, and leaf textures, they can transform any shaded spot into a lush retreat.

While they do have a few natural pests like snails and deer, a little preventive care can keep the plants healthy and vibrant for years. Plant them once, and enjoy their dependable beauty season after season without much fuss.

Oriental Poppy

Don’t let the delicate appearance of Oriental poppy blooms fool you; these plants are as tough as they come. Thriving in conditions that would wear down less hardy perennials, they’re known for popping up around old, forgotten farmsteads, showing just how self-sufficient they are.

After a spring display, they cleverly dodge the summer heat by going dormant, only to reemerge as the air cools in fall. It’s best to leave them be once they’ve settled in, but if you must, you can divide and move them in the fall when they’re resting.