Freeze-Proof Plants That Even Jack Frost Can’t Kill

Don’t let your yard take the season off.

Nandina Blush Pink
Photo:

Courtesy Southern Living Plant Collection

We’re fortunate to live in a place where winters are typically mild, but dramatic temperature shifts do happen and they can be a real pain for both people and plants to adjust to. In order to set your yard up for success, it’s important to choose plants that are hardy enough to make it through your zone’s typical winter-weather patterns. “When it comes to selecting plants that will thrive in the South’s cold, start by picking plants that are suited to your area’s USDA Zone ,” says Kip McConnell, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection . He says to be aware of certain factors like walls, wind protection, tree cover, and sun exposure, as they can create “microclimates” within your yard, meaning plants might be able to handle more or less heat or cold than your zone would typically expect.

While McConnell’s list of plants for frost-proof color is a great place to start, your plant selection journey can still be a daunting process. For that reason, he advises walking around your neighborhood to see what plants have been able to thrive regardless of recent weather events. “This can be a terrific predictor of the plant’s future success in your yard,” says McConnell.

The Best Plants For Frost-Proof Color

Blush Pink™ Nandina
Southern Living Plant Collection

Blush Pink Nandina

“There’s so much more to ‘evergreen’ than simply ‘green,’” says McConnell. “Nandina imbues rosy hues in the winter landscape with dramatic pink and crimson new growth that shines when the temperature drops.” The Blush Pink Nandina is compact, a great option for a container where it can create an eye-catching display when paired with cool-weather annuals and carex. It’s hardy in USDA Zones 6-10 and prefers partial shade.

Dragon Prince Cryptomeria

Southern Living Plant Collection

Dragon Prince Cryptomeria

The light green, stiff foliage of the Dragon Prince Cryptomeria creates a dome-like shape that’s ideal for more elegant applications. “Drought tolerant and water-wise, grow it in Zones 6-9 in full sun conditions,” says McConnell.

Golden Oakland Holly

Southern Living Plant Collection

Golden Oakland Holly

Hollies are a long-cherished wintertime staple, but this variety brings a brand-new hue to the classic with bright gold and green variegated leaves,” says McConnell. “A dense, upright habit and golden yellow foliage lights up the winter landscape at heights up to 15-20’ when mature.” The natural pyramid shape keeps the care minimal. It’s ideal for USDA Zones 6-9.

Mountain Snow Pieris

Southern Living Plant Collection

Mountain Snow Pieris

Wintertime blooms can create a focal point in the yard when other plants have gone dormant. “The cold-hardy and evergreen Mountain Snow Pieris offers beautiful wintertime buds that transition to cascading bell-like white blooms in early spring,” says McConnell. “It’s highly shade tolerant, making it a terrific choice for the cold and dark corners of your porch or landscape.” Mountain Snow Pieris can stand the chill of winter up to Zone 4.

Pancake Arborvitae

Linda Vater; Courtesy Southern Living Plant Collection

Pancake Arborvitae

“With fantastic cold hardiness to Zone 4, Pancake Arborvitae offers superior performance in the landscape with excellent disease and pest resistance, as well as strong drought tolerance once established,” says McConnell. “An attractive accent or border, this low-growing variety requires little to no pruning to maintain its convenient size.” Pancake Arborvitae prefers plenty of sun exposure in USDA Zones 4-8.

How To Protect Plants During Cold Weather

“In some circumstances, covering plants may help protect them from atypical cold snaps ,” says McConnell. “If your area is anticipating snow or a dramatic, double-digit drop in temperature overnight, you can protect the foliage of your shrubs with a loose covering that extends from the top of the branches to the soil to capture and contain heat from the ground.” He suggests using stakes or poles so the covering doesn’t touch the leaves. A breathable fabric like an old sheet or burlap—as opposed to a tarp—will help ensure the health of the plant’s health isn’t jeopardized in the process.

While tenting plants can be helpful, McConnell points out that roots need to be considered as well. “If your particular plant is pushing the limits of its zone hardiness, a protective layer of mulch over the plant’s roots when the temperature drops can help protect the plant through the winter,” McConnell says. If your plant has a shallow root system like strawberry and blueberry plants or heuchera, extra care should also be taken when it comes to the roots, regardless of where they fall in their zone hardiness. “However, plants that enjoy drier soil and are susceptible to root rot such as lavender and salvia should not be mulched,” McConnell advises.

Do Plants That Are Cold Hardy Still Need Special Care During Winter?

“In general, if a plant is cold hardy in your area, it should survive the winter barring any atypical snow, ice, or cold events,” says McConnell. When extreme cold weather is on the way, you can double check the lowest temperature that is expected versus the range of temperature in your cold hardiness zone. “For example, if you live in Zone 7a (0° to 5°F) and the forecast shows a week of below 10° weather, your Zone 7-hardy plant will likely survive, but you may want to consider giving it extra attention since you’re at the edge of its hardiness,” advises McConnell.

Another thing to consider is whether your plant is in a container or the ground. Ground temperature will be warmer than the air temperature in winter, which means your container plants are less insulated and more susceptible to cold-related damage. “Luckily, there’s an easy way to plan for this,” says McConnell. “When selecting your year-round container plants, look for those that are hardy to one USDA Zone colder than the Zone you live in.” McConnell also suggests wrapping the base of container plants with burlap or bubble wrap to help keep roots warm during cold snaps.

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