Winter is often viewed as a dormant season in the garden, but with a little planning, your outdoor space can remain lively and inviting even during the coldest months. By choosing plants that offer winter interest, you can transform your landscape into a peaceful, magical retreat. At Hinsdale Nurseries, we’re here to help you embrace the beauty of winter with plants that thrive and captivate all season long.

Coneflowers: Stunning Seed Heads for Subtle Drama
While the bright summer blooms of coneflowers may be long gone, their seed heads continue to offer visual intrigue throughout the winter. Left standing, these architectural forms provide texture against a snowy backdrop and attract birds such as finches. Planted in clusters, they create a dynamic focal point, proving that the beauty of coneflowers extends far beyond their flowering season.

Ornamental Grasses: Graceful Structure in the Frost
Ornamental grasses, such as switch grass or maiden grass, are winter superstars. Their dried flower heads and upright blades sway in the winter wind, adding motion and elegance to the garden. Dusting these grasses with frost or snow only enhances their visual appeal, making them a must-have for any winter landscape.

Pigsqueak (Bergenia): Evergreen Foliage with a Pop of Color
Pigsqueak, also known as Bergenia, is celebrated for its large, glossy evergreen leaves that take on a rich, burgundy hue in the colder months. This transformation adds depth and warmth to garden beds or borders during winter. Their low-maintenance nature makes them perfect for gardeners looking for a hardy, colorful addition.

Astilbe: Seed Heads for Soft Elegance
Astilbe is known for its feathery plumes during summer, but its seed heads remain an understated delight through the winter. These airy forms catch the light beautifully, offering a delicate contrast to the starkness of bare branches. Pair them with coneflowers or ornamental grasses for a varied and textural display.

Hellebores (Lenten Rose): Evergreen Elegance
Hellebores is a winter charmer. Its leathery, evergreen to semi-evergreen leaves provide structure year-round. Planted near pathways or entryways, their timeless beauty will be a welcome sight during the gray days of winter.

Tips for Maximizing Winter Interest

• Combine plants with different textures, heights, and colors to create a dynamic winter scene. Pairing grasses with evergreens or seed heads with smooth foliage can add depth and variety.
• Position these plants where they can be easily admired—near windows, along paths, or beside doorways.
• Resist the urge to cut everything back in fall! Allow seed heads, grasses, and foliage to remain until late winter for their aesthetic and ecological benefits.

Winter doesn’t have to mean a lifeless garden. With thoughtful plant choices, your landscape can remain vibrant and full of interest no matter the season. At Hinsdale Nurseries, we’re proud to offer a selection of plants that shine in winter, helping you create a garden that inspires joy year-round.