Plants and animals usually slow down their regular growth cycles to survive the cold weather in Canada.
Some may go into dormancy and come alive in the summer months, while others give in to the cold temperatures and die.
Fortunately, there is a huge variety of plants that survive winter in Canada.
You get the option to choose from shrubs, winter flowers, evergreen trees, and ornamental grasses.
So, without further ado, let’s look at the winter plants in Canada to help you choose from the best available options.
Read More: Winter Patio Ideas On A Budget For Canadian Homeowners
Plants that Survive Winter in Canada: 21 Winter Plants to Beautify Your Home
Here is a list of the best outdoor plants that survive winter in Canada:
1. Winter Jasmine
Plant winter jasmine in full sun and well-drained soil. You can grow this plant easily and without back-breaking work.
Winter jasmine should be grown in full sun on rich, well-drained soil.
These winter plants have a pleasant smell that perks up the look and feel of your garden.
Additionally, these winter plants are great for people who love to have decorative plants on their lawns.
As a bonus, you can grow this in a container, where its leaves and blossoms will scramble over the sides if possible.
2. Purple Coneflower
The most prevalent and easily accessible is the purple coneflower (E. purpurea).
The flowers start blooming from the top of the stem and remain blooming for a long time in the winter.
Long, light purple rays fall down the center cone. Their bottom leaves are dark green and range from 4 to 8 inches.
Planting coneflowers in large quantities, especially in various hues, makes them visually attractive.
3. Winterberry
These winter plants give red berries that grow all winter long, providing a vibrant pop of color.
The berries are undoubtedly the most attractive feature of these winter plants. But that’s not all; these plants have white flowers in winter.
4. Snowdrop
Snowdrop blooms on your lawn when the ground has a snow blanket. The leaves and stems will absorb sun energy throughout the growing season. This serves as fuel to thrive beautifully in the seasons to come.
These winter plants’ blooms start from bulbs and grow little flowers. On a single stalk, there are two to three long, narrow leaves that give it a distinct appearance.
These winter plants only flower for a few years. And when you plant them, make sure they are two to three inches deep and apart.
5. Witch Hazel
Witch-hazel are winter plants with a subtle, lemony scent, particularly in cold, cloudy weather.
You can take a few branches in a vase of water, filling the air with fragrance and changing the mood of the entire house.
Several witch-hazel cultivars can grow anywhere from 5 to 20 feet tall and frequently have about the same width.
Witch-hazel is characterized as a small tree or huge shrub. Under a deciduous canopy, it may grow in clusters or alone with other plants.
It thrives when planted with a carpet of springtime flowers, such as snowdrops, fawn lilies, crocus, and the list goes on.
6. Amaryllis Belladonna
Near the end of December, the amaryllis begins to bear clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers, typically white or pink, on a stalk without leaves.
The common name for these winter plants is jersey lilies, which are bulbous with strong stems.
Because of this, it is among the most exquisite indoor winter plants.
After the flowers have faded, you can even get it to bloom again by digging out the bulb, keeping it for at least six weeks, and then planting it again.
7. Flowering Maple
These are bushy indoor winter plants that bloom in the winter as well as in the warmer months. They can be red, pink, orange, or yellow, and they prefer bright light.
8. Red Twig Dogwood
The vivid red color of these winter plants adds a stunning splash of color to any winter garden, particularly when planted in clusters as hedges.
But make sure to give them lots of space and trim them once a year.
Typically, annual pruning involves eliminating damaged or improperly developing stems and those that have lost their color. If you want to know about winter pruning, here is a guide.
Promoting new stems helps preserve the plant’s vivid color.
9. Camellia
These winter plants are another great source of color against the dark green, wintry foliage. They have stunning blossoms in a variety of pink shades.
You can plant these at a place that receives partial sun.
Additionally, they must be shielded from the chilly winter winds and regularly watered to maintain a constant moisture content.
10. Geranium
The common name for these is Crane’s Bill. The species of these plants are categorized into annual, perennial, and biennial plants.
If you want them to thrive, give them at least six hours of sunlight. Apart from that, it requires well-drained soil.
Although they are summer-flowering plants, they can survive winters if you keep them indoors and give them less water than usual.
11. Blue Spruce
Now that we have mentioned shrubs, herbs, and small plants, let’s talk about trees. One of the most beautiful winter plants is the blue spruce tree.
Plus, when they get covered in snow, they look remarkable. These trees make a great backdrop in your house.
They are best grown in a cool and humid climate that receives full sun. They are called blue spruce due to their blue-green colored needles.
12. Daylilies
It’s nearly difficult to go wrong when it comes to daylilies.
These winter plants are easy to cultivate and come in various colors, such as black, purple, and lilac.
Some flowers have two or three colors. Although certain types thrive in partial shade, they are planted in the sun.
13. Pansies
Even though pansies can withstand very low temperatures, it is crucial to use frost-protection strategies in the winter, such as covering them with mulch or pine straw.
This will shield them from severe gusts that could dehydrate the thirsty pansies.
For early spring flowering, pansies can even be planted in late winter.
14. Phalaenopsis
Moth orchids are among the easiest to care for, even though orchids are notoriously hard to develop.
Moth orchids, which have about 60 species and many hybrids, appear in a wide range of colors.
These winter plants are amazing all year round, and they flourish in most home conditions.
15. Glory of the Snow
The glory-of-the-snow is one of the hardiest spring bulbs despite being one of the smallest.
They have light blue or pink flowers that frequently push through any remaining snow in late winter or early spring. These plants look fantastic under trees or in rock gardens.
These plants do well in both full and partial sun. If you plant them in well-drained soil, they will slowly develop into a carpet of flowers.
16. Primrose
Primroses require relatively little maintenance once established, except sometimes splitting the developing clumps if you are planting them as perennials.
Primroses look best when planted in wide areas next to trees. Partial shade is ideal for them. Water them frequently to maintain uniformly moist soil. Make sure the soil is acidic, rich, and drains effectively.
Primroses are the perfect winter plants that are drought-tolerant. The brightly-colored flowers can lighten up any room.
Usually, people keep them inside their houses to give a cool and bright feel to the room. But you can keep them outside during the summer.
Once you bring them home and plant them, they continue to bloom for a few weeks.
17. Hosta
Establish hostas as the foundation of your shadow garden. Despite the harsh winters, Hostas simply become bigger and better every year.
Mixing and matching these hardy perennials in your garden is a lot of fun because they come in countless forms, sizes, and colors.
Hostas are a multipurpose plant in the garden. They are an easy way to solve a lot of shadow garden issues.
In regions with a lot of shadow, like beneath big deciduous trees or evergreens, hosta will grow more slowly and incompletely.
Naturally, place smaller types in front and taller varieties toward the back, paying attention to the final plant sizes.
18. Lily of the Valley
These winter plants bloom in winter and early spring. This evergreen shrub is characterized by dark green foliage, bronze-colored new growth, and an easy-to-maintain, neat shape.
At any time of year, remove dead stems from their base. Cut back to a sturdy side branch to trim too long branches. Keep in mind that the leaves are poisonous.
19. Sugar Maple
In addition to the distinctive leaves of these winter plants, the sugar maple is well-known for its ability to yield maple syrup.
The end of winter and the beginning of spring are the best times to harvest syrup. The other names for these winter plants are rock maple and hard maple.
20. Rosemary
Although rosemary isn’t usually grown for its blossoms, you should use this culinary staple to add color to your winter kitchen.
Depending on the cultivar, Rosemary flowers can be white, pink, blue, lavender, or even violet.
These winter plants can be placed in a container on the kitchen ledge, where they will receive plenty of bright light; leaves will be used to add aroma to the air and your foods.
21. Winter Aconite
These winter plants are a wonderful addition to any garden. The tiny, cheerful yellow flower grows in the snow in late winter, offering a pop of color.
If you want a spreading flower, winter aconite is the one to seek. With its naturalization ability, this winter bloomer may swiftly produce carpets of vibrant green foliage with buttercup-like blossoms on top.
Because it requires little care, it’s a great option for novice gardeners seeking plants that survive winter in Canada.
How To Maintain Winter Plants
Keep an Eye on Watering Needs: In the winter, plants need less water. To keep the soil moist and prevent waterlogging, check the moisture content frequently and water only as needed.
Provide Enough Sunlight: Depending on the plants’ particular requirements, position planters in locations that offer them either full sun or partial shade.
Defend Against Pests: Check plants frequently for indications of disease and pests.
FAQs
What are all-season outdoor plants in Canada?
Perennials like hostas, daylilies, sedums, and evergreens like junipers and spruces are examples of all-season outdoor plants in Canada.
What are plants that survive winter in Canada?
You can grow cold-tolerant perennials like Russian sage and lavender. Shrubs that you can grow in Canada include boxwoods and Canadian hemlock.
Is it possible to cultivate vegetables in the winter?
Yes. Winter crops like kale, spinach, and carrots can thrive outdoors or in cold frames during winter.
How can I prevent frost damage to my plants?
Cover plants with mulch, frost cloths, or even old blankets to shield plants from frost damage on cold nights.
The Bottom Line
Winter can take away life from your garden. Hence, to keep it lush green, you need to add winter plants.
The plants mentioned in our list of plants that survive winter in Canada are all great options. You can choose the varieties accordingly, depending on whether you want to plant indoors or outdoors.
If you want to transform a simple garden into a beautiful space, contact Falcons Landscaping. We can help you create an enchanting lawn in winter and during the warmer seasons.