Container gardening is a great way to enjoy various plants when you have a small space to work in. Here are some winter container plants recommended in this collaborative post with PlantingTree.
Can I grow winter container plants? Absolutely. You just have to pick the right plants that can stand up to severe winter temperatures.
There are many plants that are cold hardy enough to grow in containers year-round. You just need to choose the right one for your growing zone.
Potted Winter Plants Pro Tips and Care
- If you want plants that look nice in winter, pick evergreen plants. These plants grow and stay green all year long.
- Since winter is when plants, even evergreens, are slowing down, they require only minimal care, making them super easy to maintain in winter.
- Choose plants that are recommended for at least one zone colder than your growing zone. So, for example, if you are in USDA growing zone 7, you want to pick a plant that is recommended for 6 as well. Potted plants are much more exposed than planted ones. So the very same plant is less cold hardy growing in a pot versus growing in the ground.
- Water your plants thoroughly prior to a deep freeze. This helps keep them healthy and protects the roots.
Our Favorite Winter Container Plants
- Cryptomeria japonica ‘Black Dragon’.
- Recommended for Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8.
I absolutely love this dwarf tree. It looks amazing growing in pots. It has dark green, almost black foliage and interesting layered branches that give way to a really neat loose habit.
- Juniperus Squamata ‘Blue Star’ treeform
- Recommended for Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Now THIS is a winter container plant! Wow! This is a blue star juniper bush in treeform. This mini tree is elegant and lovely.
- Picea glauca ‘Conica’
- Recommended for Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
This cold hardy dwarf evergreen tree is perfect for pots. It stays small and compact and has a clean pyramidal habit.
- Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Mop’
- Recommended for Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
The Gold Mop Cypress is a great container plant when you want some vibrant color and an exciting display. This yellow shrub has soft wispy foliage.
- Pieris japonica ‘Planow’
- Recommended for Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
This is a super cool plant. It has white bell-shaped flowers in spring and attractive evergreen foliage that is bronze-red when it first emerges. The Mountain Snow Pieris is no maintenance once established.
- Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’
- Recommended for Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
This upright narrow shrub is gorgeous in containers. Place it in your entryway or on your patio or deck for an upscale look.
- Phlox subulata ‘Red Wings’
- Recommended for Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
This small plant has vibrant red blooms and nice leaves all year. This low growing, spreading plant is really nice in mixed containers. It will grow down the sides of your pot for a wonderful look.
Winter Container Plants
There you have it! Yes! You can have winter container plants. Just make sure they are cold hardy and right for your zone.
Find these plants and more at PlantingTree.
What winter container plants are you planning on adding to your urban garden? Let me know in the comments section below!
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