Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration
  3. Gardening
  4. Evergreens

These plants grow best in cold weather

By
Add as a preferred source on Google

Fall, summer, and spring display all of the stunning colors, textures, and smells that plants have to offer. From vivid autumn foliage to brightly colored flowers, it is a hassle-free time to grow some truly stunning plants. When it comes to the frigid temperatures of winter, however, things can get a bit difficult. Fortunately, there are quite a few effervescent plants that thrive in freezing temperatures, bringing some color and liveliness to an otherwise bleak and barren wintertime.

What plants grow in the cold?

Japanese quince flowers blooming
Erik Agar/Shutterstock

If your garden typically turns from bright and beautiful to bleak and boring by winter, it may be time to add a few key characters to your group of plants. There are many cold hardy plants out there, so it is important to find some that will not only survive winter but will put on a show while doing so. With some featuring bright green leaves and bright red berries, these cold hardy plants will easily make a statement in your yard:

  • The blue spruce tree. With greenish-blue needles and a wide, robust structure, the blue spruce is a true winter staple. The branches of this beautiful spruce tree are a sight for sore eyes in the cold months of the year. The blue and green hues contrast beautifully against white snow, leaving you with a stunning tree all year long. Beyond that, this tree can withstand temperatures as low as -40 F, making it a real contender for your next garden addition.
  • The winterberry. Teeming with bright red berries throughout the winter months, the winterberry shrub is in high demand. Also known as the winterberry holly, this plant sure knows how to welcome winter in a holly and jolly manner! With a cold hardiness down to -30 F, the winterberry will not only grow in the cold, it will thrive.
  • The snowdrop flower. As a plant that actually despises warm winters, the snowdrop flower performs its best in frigid temperatures. This flower can withstand temperatures down to -30 F. while still displaying its bright green stems and delicate, white flowers. Beyond its extreme cold hardiness, this flower is a beautiful sight to see. Featuring bright green leaves and a flurry of drooping, white petals, the snowdrop is an easy winter winner.
  • The Japanese quince. This flowering shrub displays vivid red blooms and is an easy option for adding beautiful color to the barren winter months. Blooming in both winter and early spring, this plant produces a lively show throughout the harshest part of the year. This hardy shrub not only shows off its stunning colors, but does so in temperatures as low as -25 F.
  • The vintage gold cypress. This shrub is an evergreen, meaning it will boast its stunning, golden-green foliage throughout the year. Thriving in temperatures down to -30 F., the gold cypress is perfect for any yard or garden across the country.
Recommended Videos

Which flowers can survive cold weather?

Flowers that can make it through the winter and come back in spring as strong as ever are called perennials. There are a wide variety of beautiful perennials, so it will be easy to add some of these great options to your garden:

  • Peony
  • Coneflower
  • Monarda
  • Siberian Iris
  • Coreopsis
  • Primrose
  • Catmint
  • Viola
  • Lily of the Valley

Can vegetables grow in cold weather?

The short answer: Yes! There are a whole bunch of hardy vegetables that thrive in cold weather environments. You can choose to plant these delicious and flavorful veggies in early winter and harvest them throughout the season:

  • Onions
  • Radishes
  • Garlic
  • Potatoes
  • Lettuce
  • Leeks
  • Peas

What temperature is too cold for plants?

Primrose flowers growing in winter
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When it comes to deciding how cold is too cold, it really comes down to the plant itself. Many evergreen trees withstand temperatures as low as -30 or -40 F, while more tropical plants will only tolerate temperatures as low as 30 or 40 F.

If you live in a region that experiences below-freezing temperatures but still want bright and lively options, a great way to keep your plants alive during winter is by planting them in pots. This way, you can bring your potted plants indoors throughout the winter, allowing them to enjoy the warmth of your home.

Related

Adding a little color to the drab winter months is a great way to ensure your garden stays bright and fun. Just because you live in an area that experiences temperatures in the negatives doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some winter beauty through plants. As you can see, there are a lot of great options from flowers, to trees, to veggies that will be perfect for adding some vitality to your yard.

Topics

Editors’ Recommendations

13 shrubs perfect for wet soil conditions
These shrubs are perfect for wet soil
A winterberry holly shrub in autumn

Have you ever heard of a plant not liking wet feet? It's true; some plants don't like their roots to be soaked for too long. Many plants won't thrive or will even die in overly wet conditions. This can make gardening difficult if your yard is naturally wet. Luckily, there are plants suited for every condition, even wet soil! In this guide we'll explain how wet soil is defined and recommend some plants that like wet soil for you to try growing.

What shrubs do well in wet soil?

Read more
How to store fertilizer safely and effectively
Why fertilizer storage is important
Seedling surrounded by fertilizer

Gardening can be a fun way to unwind and enjoy delicious homegrown fruits and veggies. Some plants are more stubborn than others, but luckily, there are plenty of tools and products available to help with everything from getting rid of a plant to making it grow larger. Fertilizer is one such tool, perfect for houseplants, gardens with poor soil, and encouraging the biggest and best fruits and flowers. If you’ve found yourself with more fertilizer than you can use right away, you may wonder how to store fertilizer. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to store it safely and effectively.
How to store fertilizer

If the fertilizer is unopened or came in a resealable container, such as a bottle with a lid, then you should store it in the original container. The storage place should be somewhere with ventilation, as well as a mild or cool, dry, clean, and shady environment. A garage or basement is usually the best place for this, but inspect the area to make sure it is safe. Avoid storing your fertilizer in places that are stuffy or quickly become hot, such as a shed, closet, or attic.

Read more
How to use coconut coir in your garden for better plant growth
Different ways coconut coir can upgrade your gardening routine
Coconut at the beach

Coconut coir has been used in gardens for a long time, but what is it, and what is it used for? Also known as coco coir or coconut fiber, it comes from the husk of the coconut fruit. It's used in everything from home decor to construction, and can provide several benefits to your plants. Coconut coir can provide soil structure, drainage, and aeration to keep plants healthy in container gardens and traditional gardens. As it is a more environmentally friendly material than peat moss, many consider it a green add-in to soil. Want to try using it in your garden? Here's what to know about how to use coconut coir in gardening.

Read more