Best Architectural Winter Plants

Winter is known as the fallow season, when the field lies barren. At worst, it’s a blight that decimates everything in its path – its cruelty becoming legend during the First World War, when it claimed the lives of both soldiers of the Red Army and enemy soldiers alike. 

But even in the most frozen reaches of the north, lifeforms eke out a meager sustenance and come to prosper; in some instances, impressive castles and fortresses have been erected to resist the cold. Likewise, architectural plants add a much-needed focal point when all else is bare in the garden. 

It is important to pick plants that match your climate. Many plants, like evergreens, are versatile in scope, while yuccas may be more suited to a drought-tolerant or southwestern style garden. 

Here are some of the best winter plants that will stand out in the garden. 

 

1. Evergreens  

Evergreens are controversial in that they lack diversity, are prone to pests and disease, and are often as dull as flowers in funeral parlors. But when it comes to winter architectural interest, their old-fashioned appeal can avert the forlorn look present in so many winter gardens.   

• Hollywood Juniper Tree: The Hollywood juniper tree, made popular in California, including the Hollywood area, is a diva in its own right. While other junipers huddle in shriveled masses, it twists and twines, creating a dramatic, magical effect.  

• Japanese Yew: With its soft, dark green needles, the Japanese yew brings a refined and structured look to the garden. Its upright form and ability to tolerate both sun and shade make it a perfect choice for winter structure.

• Norway Spruce: The Norway spruce outshines other evergreens, with its naturally symmetrical form, and strong, graceful branching. Unlike blue spruce, which is susceptible to needle drop fungus, it is relatively resistant. 

2. Architectural Grasses  

Winter is the least liked of the seasons, appearing quaint only in fanfiction or maudlin Hallmark movies. But one understated aspect is very real and doable: ornamental grasses. They can bring incredible texture, movement, and contrast to your landscape.

• Miscanthus: Known for its tall, feathery plumes, Miscanthus grasses can provide height and drama even when covered with a dusting of snow. Miscanthus Nepalensis has an arching texture that bows with the wind in the summer, beautifully integrating with wildflowers. 

• Feather Reed Grass: This grass grows in upright clumps and is perfect for creating a striking vertical element. Its feathery plumes persist into winter – in a frost-kissed landscape, some may even create a “lit-up” look in the winter sun. 

3. Deciduous Trees with Interesting Winter Bark

Rough-barked trees are grown as background filler, but when their leaves are no longer there, their craggy back is exposed rather harshly. That is when another type of tree comes out to play. A friend for the seasons, some deciduous trees accompany the garden in all walks of life, from the flower-laden height of summer to the dearth of winter, offering an intricate play of color, texture, and silhouette when the rest of the garden is bare. 

• Birch: The more stripped bare a plant is, usually the more unpalatable it is. But for birch and its variants, its sloughing bark has made it wildly popular with photographers and children alike, who delight in peeling off its bark. In times gone by, its water resistance properties were utilized to make food and water containers, as well as canoes.   

• Coral Bark Maple: The Coral Bark Maple is an alternative to the more popular dogwoods, growing in a vase-like shape. As temperatures plummet, it retains its signature red bark, at times exhibiting an electric, fluorescent, coral color.

• Japanese Stewartia: A lesser-known tree, the Japanese Stewartia changes colors like all trees do, but its hidden asset lies in its bark, which looks like it’s been painted with layers of gray, orange, and brown. It’s an excellent choice for adding subtle texture and color during the long, dull winter months. 

4. Winter-Flowering Shrubs  

The thicket of crepe myrtles that bloom in the heat of summer get all the attention, but winter-blooming shrubs can still strategically improve a garden. 

• Winter Jasmine: This shrub flowers in late winter or early spring with canary yellow flowers that offer an early dose of color. It is not fussy about the quality of soil, but may benefit from the addition of some compost. 

• Witch Hazel (Hamamelis spp.): Wintertime seldom brings flowers, unless you are growing witch hazel, an intensely fragrant shrub that embodies the scent of Christmas. Its open, straggly form provides a natural, graceful contrast against the rigid structure of evergreens.

• Mahonia: With its holly-like leaves and clusters of yellow flowers, Mahonia offers a touch of festive cheer in winter. The berries that follow the blooms turn from blue to purple, offering color well into the spring months.

5. Hellebores  

Hellebores, also known as "Christmas roses," are winter-blooming perennials that create a soft, elegant contrast against the harsh winter landscape. Their nodding flowers come in various shades, from deep purples to soft pinks and whites, adding a quiet beauty to shaded areas.

These plants thrive in areas with partial to full shade, making them ideal for woodland gardens. Their leathery leaves and delicate flowers provide architectural interest without overwhelming the space.

6. Black Bamboo 

Black bamboo may seem like a tropical plant, but it doubles as both a living fence and winter interest, continuing to breathe life into winter landscapes even after deciduous plants drop. Its charcoal canes, coated in all black like a noir star’s eyeliner, are imbued with the ability to grow to an impressive height for privacy screens. While it will form dense stands, it is clump forming and less aggressive than other bamboo varieties and can be kept in check in containers. Grow black bamboo as a container plant or for your poolside.