Our Top 10 Plants for Winter Interest

Camellia sasanqua

Camellia sasanqua is one of the earliest camellias to bloom, often opening its flowers from late fall through early winter. The blooms are usually single or semi double and come in shades of white, pink and red. The glossy evergreen leaves look tidy year round, making it a strong structural shrub even when not in bloom.

In Metro Vancouver, sasanqua camellias prefer a site with morning sun and afternoon shade or bright filtered light, along with well drained, slightly acidic soil. They work beautifully as foundation shrubs, along fences or as informal hedges. Because they flower so early, plant them where you can enjoy the blossoms and visiting hummingbirds from inside on cool days.

Witchhazel

Witchhazel, most often Hamamelis x intermedia, is famous for its ribbon shaped, fragrant flowers that appear on bare branches in mid to late winter. Colours range from soft yellow to orange and deep copper red. On mild days, the fragrance carries nicely through the garden.

These large shrubs or small trees prefer full sun to light shade and well drained soil. In the Pacific Northwest, witchhazel is an excellent choice for a focal point near a path or patio where its flowers can be appreciated up close. In autumn, many varieties also offer spectacular fall colour before the leaves drop, giving you two strong seasons of interest.

Helleborus

Hellebores, often called Lenten rose or Christmas rose, are among the most dependable winter flowering perennials for our region. Their nodding blooms appear from late winter into early spring in shades of white, cream, pink, plum, green and even nearly black, often with freckles or picotee edges. The evergreen foliage forms neat clumps that look good year round.

Hellebores thrive in part shade with well drained, humus rich soil and are ideal for planting under trees and shrubs. In Metro Vancouver gardens, they are perfect along paths, near front entries and in mixed woodland borders. Cut back the old foliage in late winter as new flower stems rise, then enjoy months of colour while many other perennials are still sleeping.

Himalayan Birch

Himalayan birch, often grown as Betula utilis var. jacquemontii, is prized for its striking white bark that glows against winter skies. As the tree matures, the bark brightens and peels in thin sheets, creating a beautiful contrast with dark evergreens and low winter sun.

These trees prefer full sun and moist, well drained soil. In the Pacific Northwest, they are excellent for lawns, woodland edges and larger gardens where their trunks can be underplanted with hellebores, snowdrops or early spring bulbs. A small grove of Himalayan birch can become a true winter showpiece, especially when lit from below on long winter evenings.

Acer palmatum Sango kaku

Acer palmatum Sango kaku, also known as coral bark Japanese maple, is treasured for its vivid coral red young branches that stand out after the leaves fall. In summer, the foliage is a fresh light green, shifting to warm yellow and apricot tones in autumn before dropping to reveal the colourful stems.

This small tree prefers a site with light shade, shelter from harsh winds and evenly moist soil. In Metro Vancouver gardens, it is perfect near patios, in courtyard plantings or as a focal point visible from a main window. Combine it with dark evergreens and low winter interest shrubs to make the coral bark really pop on grey days.

Shrub Dogwoods

Shrub dogwoods such as Cornus alba and Cornus sericea are famous for their colourful winter stems. Varieties can have bright red, flame orange or even chartreuse green young shoots. When planted in groups, the effect is striking, especially against a backdrop of snow, mulch or evergreen hedging.

These shrubs prefer full sun to light shade and tolerate wet soils well, making them useful near swales or damp areas in Metro Vancouver gardens. To keep the stem colour strong, prune a portion of the oldest stems to the base every couple of years in early spring, encouraging fresh new growth with the best colour.

Sarcococca

Sarcococca, or sweetbox, is a shade loving evergreen shrub with glossy foliage and intensely fragrant winter flowers. From late December through February, its small cream coloured blossoms fill the air with a sweet perfume, often surprising visitors who cannot see where the scent is coming from.

Sarcococca thrives in part to full shade in the Pacific Northwest and is ideal along north facing walls, beside shady paths and near doorways. Use it as low hedging, a foundation shrub or a groundcover under trees. Its fragrance and tidy evergreen leaves make it a winter essential in many Metro Vancouver gardens.

Callicarpa

Callicarpa, commonly called beautyberry, earns its name from its vivid clusters of purple berries that cling to bare branches in autumn and early winter. The berries look almost unreal in colour and are particularly striking against simple backgrounds of evergreen foliage or light coloured walls.

Beautyberry prefers full sun to light shade and average, well drained soil. In Metro Vancouver, it does well in mixed shrub borders and as a feature plant near paths or patios where the berries can be admired up close. Prune in early spring to maintain shape and encourage strong new growth that will carry next seasons berries.

Paperbark Maple

Paperbark maple, Acer griseum, is one of the finest small trees for winter bark interest. Its cinnamon brown bark peels in thin curls that catch the light, especially when backlit by low winter sun. In autumn, the foliage turns rich shades of red and orange before dropping to reveal the bark display.

This tree prefers full sun to light shade and well drained soil. It is slow growing, which makes it suitable for smaller gardens in Metro Vancouver. Plant it where the trunk and main branches can be seen clearly, such as by a path, deck or lawn edge. A simple underplanting of evergreen groundcovers or spring bulbs will set off the bark beautifully.

Erica Winter Heath and Heather

Winter blooming heaths and heathers are among the longest lasting winter performers in the Pacific Northwest. Two of the best choices for Metro Vancouver are Erica carnea and Erica x darleyensis. Both offer dependable colour through the cold months, but each has slightly different characteristics that make them useful in different garden situations.

Erica carnea, often called winter heath, is a compact, low growing species that forms neat, spreading mats. It begins blooming early, often from December into March, with flowers in white, pink or magenta. Its small scale makes it ideal for edging, rock gardens, slopes and the front of sunny borders. It handles cold, wet winters well and is one of the most reliable options for continuous winter colour.

Erica x darleyensis is a hybrid between Erica carnea and Erica erigena, and it tends to grow taller and fuller than E. carnea. Its flowering period is long, often stretching from late fall into spring, with dense clusters of pink, rose or white blooms. Because it has a more upright habit and a slightly larger size, it works well as a low shrub or mass planting, and it covers ground more quickly than E. carnea.

Both species thrive in full sun with well drained, acidic soil, and both offer evergreen foliage that provides year round texture. In Metro Vancouver gardens, winter heaths pair beautifully with dwarf conifers, ornamental grasses, hellebores and spring bulbs. Use them to brighten slopes, frame pathways or fill tricky dry areas at the edges of retaining walls.