In winter, a patio can be turned into a cozy outdoor location for observing gentle snowfall and for enjoying early afternoon sunsets. Even in the coolest of regions, it need not be free of life and warmth. Several temperate plants thrive and even bloom through dim winters as long as they are protected from heavy snowfall and strong winds. These can be placed in window boxes, pots, or containers to match your patio furniture.
When selecting winter plants for your area, pay attention to their hardiness zones. Those that are suited to hardiness zones 7 and below are usually able to tolerate temperatures down to 0˚F (-18˚C). Some of these plants can survive through prolonged freezes, whereas others will require proper shelter to remain frost-free.
In zones with fairly warm winters, it follows that a wider range of plants may persist outdoors. However, some of these will require significant temperature drops to produce their buds. Try to cultivate a mixture of temperate species with varied morphologies and peak bloom times. To combat gloomy conditions, these may include evergreen bushes, succulents, or flowering winter annuals.
1) American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
This perennial tree can provide a depth of year-round color in both extensive landscapes and modern gardens. While it can grow to a full size of about 50 feet (15 meters) tall and 3 feet (91 cm) wide, it can be maintained as a potted ornamental. Some miniature cultivars thrive when their roots are restricted and are raised to facilitate thorough drainage. The ‘Tiny Tim’ cultivar, for example, is adaptable, grows to a height of just 6 – 12 inches (15 – 30 cm), and retains its compact appearance through the seasons.
Distinguished by its tough, scale-like foliage, which is arranged into bipinnate sprays of highly textural leaves, the American arborvitae can provide a well-manicured appearance to a winter patio. Generally hardy to USDA zones 2 – 7, it can easily tolerate cool winter conditions and can thrive in a range of ecosystems and garden types. In the wild, its natural stands are predominantly found in damp habitats.
Given this species’ remarkable versatility, you can experiment with its many uses to truly set your patio apart. Arborvitae containers can be used to create either a short or tall screen of foliage. Neatly pruned trees in pots can function as specimen plants or as focal points of an outdoor setup.
2) Flowering heather (Erica carnea)
For some cool-season sprays of color, you definitely can’t go wrong with a few pots of Erica carnea and its many cultivars. Commonly known as alpine heath, winter-flowering heather, and winter heath, this remarkable plant has a high tolerance for the cold. As its throes of delicate blooms are produced in either late winter or early spring, they can push through a fine layer of snow to lure their pollinators with vibrant color.
A subshrub, flowering heather grows to an easily manageable height of around 4 – 10 inches (10 – 25 cm). A well-maintained pot of this species makes for a perfect tabletop feature. Pots or containers can also be placed on stools, stacks of bricks, or cubes of wood to create a festive vibe that perfectly complements your patio during winter. Placing specimens on taller surfaces also allows for better drainage and easier observation. You’ll find yourself wanting to look closely at the clusters of bell-shaped blooms and the whorls of deep-green, needle-like leaves!
Winter-hardy, deer-resistant, and low-maintenance, flowering heather deserves a spot in every horticulturist’s toolbox. Its well-maintained stands survive through temperatures as low as -22˚F (-30˚C). To maintain the healthy stems, place this ornamental plant in a spot with some shelter from direct afternoon sun.
3) American wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
There’s nothing quite like the visual warmth that emanates from clusters of deep red berries. Those of the American wintergreen last through the winter months, complementing their backdrop of rich, bronze-green foliage. They add a touch of life to shady locations, where little else can thrive once temperatures have significantly dropped. Placed in a pot, this species can make for a thoughtful gift or a festive addition to patios, porches, and balconies.
Also known as boxberry, checkerberry, and creeping wintergreen, this tough perennial grows to a full height of 4 – 8 inches (10 – 20 cm). As a single plant can boast a spread of about 6 – 12 inches (15 – 30 cm), it can be used to fill out a container or be cultivated as groundcover. Well-established specimens require little in terms of year-round care and winter preparations. Simply prune or remove any bare or woody stems to encourage the production of new branches in spring.
Hardy to USDA zones 3 – 7, the American wintergreen is a standout feature of winter landscapes with acidic soils. Its foliage may respond to reduced temperatures by developing deep-purple hues. These help bring out the colors of the plant’s bright berries, which are packed with both wildlife and medicinal benefits.
4) Winter-flowering pansies (Viola hiemalis)
An unsurprising addition to just about every list of winter plants, winter-flowering or ice pansies are some of the cheeriest additions to cool-season arrangements. When placed in a hanging basket, elevated pot, window box, or mixed container, these flowering plants look extra vigorous and spritely. You’ll find yourself admiring the many vivid colors of their delicate blooms, which should draw a wealth of pollinators to your garden or patio.
Though ice pansies look great in containers, they can also be cultivated as ground cover plants. Use them to cover the slope around a raised patio. Situate them next to sets of stairs and below windows to help naturalize the perimeter of your home. As these are often grown as annuals (typically as plug plants) specifically for winter or early spring, many gardeners purchase various colors and grow them next to one another for maximum impact.
Winter-flowering pansies can tolerate subzero temperatures, but do note that prolonged frosts can cause them to stop growing completely. They’ll recover through slightly warmer days, responding to increases in temperature by producing new sets of buds. In regions with fairly warm winters, such as in the southern part of the US, they may bloom throughout the season.
5) Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica)
Hardy to USDA zones 6 – 9, heavenly bamboo can persist as an evergreen shrub in regions with moderate to warm winters. Known for being quite adaptable, this member of the Berberidaceae or barberry family is often grown as an ornamental plant in oriental-themed gardens. It provides stunning winter interest as its leaves develop warm red tones in cool temperatures.
Despite being commonly referred to as a “bamboo”, this shrub does not actually bear any significant relationship with true bamboos. It is simply morphologically similar to them in that its main stems are unbranching. These grow to about 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall, eventually sending out compound leaves that measure up to 39 inches (99 cm) long. As these may be tri-pinnate, the individual leaflets are often mistaken for entire leaves on branching twigs.
Heavenly bamboo can be grown in pots, from which its slender leaves can gracefully arch and boast their array of warm hues. Note, however, that this genus (Nandina) is considered invasive in some parts of the US due to its tendency to compete with native plants in dry habitats. Birds are major vectors for its spread as they are drawn to the plant’s red berries.
6) Dwarf blue spruce (Picea pungens ‘Globosa’)
If your patio has room for a medium to large, potted winter shrub, consider the dwarf blue spruce. This fantastic garden cultivar is a recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. It effortlessly stands out in cool climates, maintaining its eye-catching color throughout the year. Slow-growing, it has densely packed branches – each heavily coated with silvery-blue, needle-like leaves. These are best appreciated on plants that are exposed to full sun and that occasionally see a light layer of snow.
Hardy to USDA zones 2 – 8, the dwarf blue spruce can be propagated during winter. This versatile cultivar easily tolerates subzero temperatures and requires minimal maintenance throughout its growth periods. Its shoot grows to a maximum height of about 5 feet (1.5 meters), but do note that it can take many years to reach this height. On average, its height increases by just 1 – 6 inches (2.5 – 15 cm) per year. Mature specimens can be pruned back regularly to maintain your preferred shape and height.
7) Ivy-leaved cyclamen (Cyclamen hederifolium)
In the wild, this stunning member of the Primulaceae or primrose family is typically restricted to coastal shrublands, rocky habitats, and forests. Due to its lovely ornamental features, it is now frequently sold as a potted bulb before winter. Its long-lasting, evergreen foliage has visual impact even outside of the bloom period. These are noticeably triangular, like those of ivy, and marked with greyish and greenish streaks.
Of course, the blooms of ivy-leaved cyclamen always manage to steal the show once they emerge through the swathes of leaves. These are borne on 4 – 6 inch (10 – 15 cm) long stems, sport hues ranging from white to magenta, and have an unforgettable morphology. The blooms are oriented downward, so they appear to be nodding whenever they are touched by a light breeze. Their petals are curved outwards and are reminiscent of a fairy’s or a butterfly’s wings.
Ideal for adding cool-season color to a patio, this species can tolerate winter temperatures that dip down to around -19˚F (-28˚C). It is hardy to USDA zones 5 – 9. Tolerant of dry soils and partial sun exposure, it does not require much in terms of care or maintenance. As it is toxic to both dogs and cats, make sure its pots cannot be easily accessed by your pets.
8) Japanese skimmia (Skimmia japonica)
Spritely clusters of bright red berries make this plant a sight for sore eyes each winter. Though these fruits begin to develop in fall, they are able to persist through the coolest months of the year. The berries are complemented by leathery leaves, most of which are densely grouped into whorls along the tips of branches. These are borne on shoots that boast a full height of about 4 feet (1.2 meters).
Typically cultivated as a specimen plant or as a shrub border, Japanese skimmia can be situated on or around patios that are cast in partial to full shade. Hardy to USDA zones 6 – 8, it thrives best in areas receiving dappled shade and morning sun. As this species is dioecious, both male and female specimens are necessary for fruit production. This means that if only one pot may be accommodated in your patio, it would be advisable to cultivate a few more stands of this species in the garden.
Japanese skimmia makes for a fine container plant, especially if it is rooted into consistently moist substrates. Ample shade encourages its leaves to retain their deep green color, whereas full sun may cause them to grow slightly pale. Make sure to place this shrub close to other spring-flowering plants to increase its chances of being pollinated each year.
9) Japanese leucothoe (Leucothoe keiskei ‘Burning Love’)
Perfect as an accent plant, the ‘Burning Love’ cultivar of the Japanese leucothoe is distinguished by its elegant gradient of red-orange to deep green leaves. This blend of colors is the result of the lack of chlorophyll in new foliage, which gradually becomes a more intense shade of green over time. As a result, the topmost or outermost portions of the shrub’s branches, which are where new growth is concentrated, may appear to be “burning”.
In winter, the foliage of Japanese leucothoe may deepen to an alluring shade of burgundy. These can look especially striking on standalone plants that are situated in pots or containers. As the branches maintain a compact habit, this species can also be used to create a low fence or screen for some added privacy around a patio.
Hardy down to USDA zone 6, ‘Burning Love’ can tolerate winter conditions in both exposed and sheltered locations. It thrives under both full and partial sun exposure and in zones with acidic, well-draining substrates. Evergreen, it unfailingly sends out new branches each spring. Its cylindrical blooms, which maintain a downward-facing orientation, are borne along the ends of stems in late spring to summer.
10) Golden dream boxwood (Buxus microphylla ‘Peergold’)
A branching, evergreen shrub, boxwood is one of the most useful plants for backyards due to the structure its intertwining stems provide. Tightly packed, these collectively form a highly textural plant with reliable winter features and a tolerance for various light levels. Exposure to full sun encourages a more compact appearance, one which responds better to being shaped, whereas partial to heavy shade causes branches to splay out.
The ‘Peergold’ cultivar, which is typically marketed as the “Golden Dream” boxwood in most plant nurseries, is a low-growing ornamental. In optimal conditions, it rarely grows to more than 3 feet (91 cm) tall and 2.5 feet (76 cm) wide. This miniature size makes it perfect for patios, verandas, and other outdoor locations with limited space. In adequately sized, elevated pots placed in areas receiving dappled or light shade, its evergreen foliage can grow beautifully.
Cold-hardy down to USDA zone 6, the golden dream boxwood can survive through winter temperatures that dip down to 0˚F (-18˚C). To preserve the quality of its leaves, which can develop a bronze hue when they are wind-exposed, this cultivar should be placed in a sheltered location. As new growths can be damaged by late frosts, pruning should be done past mid-spring.
