7 Winter Container Plantings to Brighten Cold-Season Gardens

Winter can leave gardens looking bland, especially when summer containers fade. Combat this by refreshing pots in early winter with combinations that provide months of color and texture. After the holidays, these plantings continue to shine, and in spring, components can be moved to garden beds and replaced with bulbs.

Here are seven favorite plant selections for striking contemporary winter containers.

1. Twigs, Hellebore & Dwarf Cypress

Dogwood twigs (available at winter nurseries) stand in for a full dogwood plant. Chartreuse dwarf golden cypress makes a bold statement, while hellebore flowers all winter. An easy, low-maintenance mix of textures and colors.

• Dogwood twigs
• Dwarf golden cypress
• Hellebore

2. Purple Kale & Coral Bells

A colorful, textural front-door container that draws the eye. Individual plants can be repurposed later in the garden.

• Fire twig dogwood
• Corokia
• Purple ornamental kale
• Coral bells 'Creme Brulee'
• Spurge 'Black Bird'
• Gold carex
• Scotch moss

3. Moss & Dogwood

Bright green sphagnum moss contrasts with vibrant redtwig dogwood; pinecones add seasonal flair. Dogwood can be transplanted to a garden bed in spring.

• Redtwig dogwood
• Sphagnum moss
• Pinecones

4. Textural Contrast with Black Mondo Grass

Muted tones of black mondo grass and pinecones backdrop skimmia and dogwood twigs. Perfect low-maintenance patio container enjoyed from indoors.

• Dogwood twigs
• Skimmia
• Black mondo grass
• Pinecones

5. Year-Round Bamboo Poles

Evergreen foundation plants support permanent timber bamboo poles that complement seasonal plantings year-round.

• Timber bamboo poles
• Skimmia
• Mountain pepper
• Coral bells 'Obsidian'

6. Moss & Phormium

Phormium provides year-round focal point; moss-covered twigs support fronds against snow. Base covered with hens-and-chicks and loose moss. Easily converts to a spring planter.

• Phormium
• Mossy twigs
• Sphagnum moss
• Hens-and-chicks

7. Black Mondo Grass with Ornamental Twigs

Dark mondo grass and coral bells complement a dark fence, while bright yellow/red twigs and acid-green dwarf golden cypress add vibrant intensity.

• Red and yellow ornamental twigs
• Dwarf golden cypress
• Coral bells
• Leatherleaf sedge
• Black mondo grass