return to homepage

Winter Plants for Wisconsin Gardens

Evergreens are an easy choice for winter plants. Not so obvious are the plants which aren't evergreen but still have a lot to give. Choose a mixture of evergreens and plants with fruit, interesting twigs and bark.

River Birch tree "Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder"

River Birch / Betula nigra
60' high x 45' wide, Full - Part Sun

Interesting peeling bark. Birch tolerates more moisture.

Cardinal Redosier Dogwood / Cornus sericea 'Cardinal'
10' high x 10' wide, Full - Part Sun
Red twigs are a great winter surprise. Some dogwoods also come with variegated foliage or yellow twigs.

Winter Plants Harry Lauder's Walking Stick
"Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder"

Harry Lauder's Walkingstick / Corylus avellana 'Contorta'
10' high x 8' wide, Full - Part Sun

This shrub isn't very remarkable until winter. Then it's twisted branches will amaze you. It's been reported as both Zone 4 and Zone 5. Produces suckers which have to be cut back.

Crimson Cloud Hawthorn / Crataegus laevigata 'Supurba'
15' high x 15' wide, Full Sun

Berries add color to the winter landscape. This tree is also a spring bloomer.

Dwarf Burning Bush / Euonymus alatus 'Compacta'
6' high x 5' wide, Full - Part Sun

Has interesting twigs. In full sun, this shrub is amazing in fall and winter.

Sugar Tyme Crabapple

"Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder"

Sugar Tyme Crabapple / Malus 'Sutyzam'
18' high x 15' wide, Full Sun

Also has persistant berries. If you love crabapple trees, why not get one that you can enjoy for multiple seasons?

Princess Kay Plum / Prunus nigra 'Princess Kay'
15' high x 10' wide, Full Sun

A beautiful tree in the spring with the added bonus of unusually dark bark.

Corkscrew Willow / Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'
25' high x 15' wide, Full - Part Sun

Twisted branches are a standout in the winter and year round.

Taunton Yew / Taxus x media 'Taunton'
4' high x 6' wide, Part-Full Shade

The yews tend to have deep green needles that are a great backdrop all year. They need good drainage. Give them a protected site so they don't get winter burn.

Many of the taller decorative grasses are also beautiful in the winter. Try planting three or more in a group for maximum effect. They should be cut down in early spring for new growth.

Interesting winter plants are out there. Good planning pays off in this difficult season.

Return FROM Winter Plants TO The Wisconsin Garden

Email

Name

Then

Don't worry -- your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Outdoor Design.

Enjoy This Site?
Then why not use the button below, to add us to your favorite bookmarking service?

My Web Story
Template Design
Copyright© Get Creative, LLC 2007-2010.