20 Best Plants That Will Stay Green in Winter for Year-Round Beauty

Winter doesn’t have to mean dull, lifeless gardens. With the right selection of greenery, your outdoor and indoor spaces can remain lush, vibrant, and alive. 20 Best Plants That Will Stay Green in Winter guide you in choosing hardy, resilient plants that maintain color and charm during the colder months.

From evergreens to ornamental shrubs, these plants provide texture, structure, and visual interest throughout the year. Incorporating them in your garden, balcony, or living spaces ensures continuity and beauty even when most plants go dormant.

Whether you prefer bold, architectural foliage or soft, delicate greenery, these winter-proof plants elevate your garden style while offering environmental benefits. Learn how to create a stunning, green oasis during the cold season.

1. Boxwood (Buxus)

Boxwood is a classic evergreen shrub that thrives in winter.
Its small, glossy leaves maintain rich green color throughout the season. Boxwood works well for hedges, borders, or decorative topiary shapes, providing structure and elegance to your garden.

Plant in well-drained soil and prune lightly to maintain shape. Boxwood adds year-round greenery and formal style, making it perfect for structured garden designs.

2. Holly (Ilex)

Holly plants retain their vibrant green foliage in winter, often accented by red berries.
They bring festive charm and can be used as hedges, standalone shrubs, or ornamental accents. Holly adds depth and texture to winter landscapes.

Holly thrives in well-drained soil and partial sunlight. Pair with evergreens or flowering perennials to create layered and visually dynamic garden corners.

3. Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

Wintergreen is a low-growing groundcover that stays green through winter.
Its glossy leaves and bright red berries add color and interest during colder months. Wintergreen is ideal for borders, rock gardens, or under trees where light is filtered.

It prefers acidic soil and partial shade. Wintergreen’s evergreen foliage ensures continuous texture and visual appeal in winter gardens.

4. Pine Trees (Pinus)

Pine trees are resilient conifers that keep their needles green year-round.
They provide height, structure, and natural privacy in winter landscapes. Varieties range from dwarf pines for small gardens to large specimens for dramatic impact.

Pines thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. Use pine trees as focal points, windbreaks, or layered with shrubs and perennials for winter interest.

5. Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons feature glossy evergreen leaves and colorful spring blooms, but remain green during winter.
Their leathery foliage adds texture and depth to shady areas, pathways, or garden borders.

Plant in acidic soil with partial shade for optimal growth. Rhododendrons maintain a lush, green appearance, creating a serene and inviting winter garden.

6. Boxwood Topiary

Boxwood topiaries combine elegance with winter resilience.
Their dense, evergreen foliage retains shape and color, making them perfect for garden entrances, patios, or symmetrical garden layouts. Topiary shapes—from spirals to spheres—add a formal, artistic touch.

Prune carefully to maintain structure and remove any damaged leaves. Boxwood topiaries provide a sculptural element, keeping winter gardens visually interesting and refined.

7. Juniper (Juniperus)

Junipers are hardy, low-maintenance evergreens suitable for groundcover or vertical interest.
They come in various shapes and sizes—from creeping mats to upright shrubs—and retain rich green foliage throughout winter.

Plant in well-drained soil with full sun. Junipers provide texture, form, and winter greenery, complementing colorful or flowering garden elements.

8. Camellia

Camellias are evergreen shrubs known for glossy foliage and vibrant winter blooms.
They add elegance and color when most other plants are dormant. Camellias thrive in partially shaded garden areas and act as a striking backdrop to other shrubs.

Water regularly and mulch to maintain soil moisture during winter. Their lush leaves and periodic blooms ensure your garden stays lively and appealing.

9. Hollyhock (Evergreen Varieties)

Evergreen hollyhocks provide vertical interest with green leaves through winter.
Their tall stems and textured foliage create layers and depth in garden beds. Though most hollyhocks die back, evergreen varieties maintain structure year-round.

Plant in rich, well-drained soil with adequate sunlight. Pair with other evergreens or flowering perennials to create a visually dynamic winter garden.

10. Mahonia (Oregon Grape)

Mahonia features spiky evergreen leaves and yellow blooms in late winter or early spring.
Its glossy foliage remains green throughout winter, adding texture and color contrast. Mahonia is ideal for shaded borders or woodland gardens.

Protect from harsh winds and ensure well-drained soil. This resilient plant enhances winter gardens with continuous greenery and seasonal flowering accents.

11. Spruce (Picea)

Spruce trees are classic evergreens that maintain vibrant green needles all winter.
They provide height, structure, and a natural focal point for any garden or landscape. Their conical shape adds elegance to patios, pathways, or garden corners.

Spruce thrives in well-drained soil with full sunlight. Layer with smaller shrubs or perennials to create depth, texture, and year-round visual interest.

12. Yew (Taxus)

Yews are versatile evergreen shrubs suitable for hedges, borders, or shaped topiaries.
They keep dense, dark green foliage throughout winter, offering privacy and structure. Yews can be clipped into formal shapes or allowed to grow naturally.

Plant in slightly acidic, well-drained soil for optimal growth. Their resilience and evergreen nature make them perfect for low-maintenance winter greenery.

13. Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum)

Holly ferns are hardy, evergreen ferns that thrive in shaded garden areas.
Their deep green fronds add lush texture to winter gardens, rockeries, or container arrangements. They maintain form and color even in cold conditions.

Plant in moist, well-drained soil and protect from strong winds. Holly ferns offer continuous greenery and a soft, naturalistic element to winter landscapes.

14. Pieris Japonica (Japanese Andromeda)

Pieris japonica is an evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and cascading flower clusters.
It stays green through winter and provides structure and texture in borders or shaded garden areas. Its new foliage often appears in red or bronze tones before turning green.

Plant in acidic, well-drained soil with partial shade. Pieris japonica adds visual interest and maintains year-round greenery, blending beautifully with other winter plants.

15. Ivy (Hedera helix)

Ivy is a climbing evergreen plant perfect for walls, fences, or groundcover.
Its dark green leaves provide consistent color during winter, softening hardscape elements and adding vertical interest. Ivy is highly versatile and can adapt to various garden styles.

Trim occasionally to control growth and prevent overgrowth. Ivy ensures your garden retains lush greenery and texture even in the coldest months.

16. Boxwood Groundcover (Buxus microphylla)

Boxwood groundcover stays green even in harsh winter conditions.
Its low-growing, dense foliage works well along pathways, garden edges, or under trees. This evergreen provides structure, texture, and visual continuity in winter landscapes.

Prune lightly to maintain shape and prevent overcrowding. Boxwood groundcover ensures your garden looks tidy, vibrant, and alive during colder months.

17. Holly Berry Shrubs

Holly berry shrubs keep their glossy green leaves and produce bright red berries in winter.
They add seasonal charm, color contrast, and structure to gardens, borders, or containers. Berries attract birds and enhance outdoor aesthetics.

Plant in well-drained soil with partial sunlight. Holly berry shrubs combine beauty, resilience, and wildlife-friendly appeal in winter gardens.

18. Euonymus (Wintercreeper)

Euonymus is a hardy evergreen shrub or groundcover that maintains green foliage year-round.
Its glossy leaves add texture and brightness, making it perfect for borders, garden beds, or decorative hedges.

Pair with contrasting plants or flowers for visual interest. Euonymus provides reliable greenery throughout winter, ensuring your garden remains lively and appealing.

19. Rhododendron (Evergreen Varieties)

Evergreen rhododendrons keep their rich green foliage during winter while adding spring blooms.
They provide structure, depth, and color contrast when planted in shaded areas, garden beds, or along pathways.

Ensure acidic, well-drained soil for optimal growth. Evergreen rhododendrons create a lush, vibrant look that transforms winter gardens into inviting spaces.

20. Camellia Japonica

Camellia japonica is an elegant evergreen shrub that thrives in winter climates.
Its glossy foliage and periodic blooms bring color, texture, and sophistication to gardens or patios. Camellias are perfect as standalone features or layered with other shrubs.

Plant in partial shade with well-drained soil. Camellia japonica maintains a lush, green appearance, ensuring your winter garden feels alive and stylish.

Final Thoughts

Choosing winter-hardy plants ensures your garden remains vibrant, structured, and inviting year-round. Using these 20 Best Plants That Will Stay Green in Winter, you can create depth, texture, and continuous greenery even in cold months.

Evergreens like boxwood, holly, and pine provide reliable structure and form, while flowering evergreens like camellia and pieris add seasonal interest. Layering foliage, texture, and plant heights enhances visual appeal and garden dynamics.

With careful selection and placement, your winter garden becomes a sanctuary of color, texture, and life. Year-round greenery creates a welcoming environment while complementing architecture, hardscapes, and other seasonal plantings.

FAQs

1. Which plants stay green in winter for small gardens?
Boxwood, euonymus, and holly are ideal for compact spaces and maintain structure. Secondary keyword: evergreen winter plants.

2. Can these plants grow indoors?
Some evergreens, like camellias or holly in containers, can thrive indoors with sunlight.

3. How do I maintain winter evergreens?
Water moderately, protect from frost, and prune lightly to keep shape and health.

4. Are flowering evergreens suitable for winter gardens?
Yes, camellias and pieris japonica offer both greenery and seasonal blooms.

5. How to combine these plants for maximum impact?
Layer heights, textures, and colors, and consider seasonal blooms for continuous visual interest. Tertiary keyword: winter garden ideas.