Top Winter Plants to Add Color to Your Colorado Springs Landscape

Table of Contents:

2. Evergreen Trees and Shrubs

3. Ornamental Grasses

4. Hellebores

5. Red-Twig Dogwood

6. Pansies and Violas

7. Witch Hazel

8. Cotoneaster

9. Evergreen Groundcovers

10. Viburnum

Key Factors to Consider for Colorado Winter Landscaping

Designing Your Winter Landscape with Fredell Enterprises

Winter in Colorado Springs is a magical time, with snow-dusted peaks and crisp, clear air. However, the cold temperatures and shorter days can often leave your landscape looking drab and lifeless. Adding winter-hardy plants to your yard can infuse vibrancy and interest, even in the chilliest months. By incorporating carefully chosen plants, you can create a landscape that stays visually appealing all year long.

Here are some of the top winter plants to bring color and life to your Colorado Springs yard.

• Why it Works in Winter: Winterberry holly is a deciduous holly species that loses its leaves in the fall, leaving bright red berries that persist throughout the winter. These striking berries provide a vibrant splash of color and attract birds to your yard.
• Ideal Conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, acidic soil.
• Care Tips: Pair female plants with at least one male plant for pollination to ensure berry production. Winterberry is also deer-resistant, making it a practical option for Colorado Springs homeowners. Harsh winds and extremely dry conditions may stress the plant, so extra winter watering can help.
• Suitability: Winterberry holly can survive Colorado winters if planted in a protected area with well-draining soil. It prefers acidic soil, which may require amendment in some Colorado locations.

• Why it Works in Winter: Evergreens like Colorado Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, and Juniper provide year-round color and structure to your landscape. Their shades of green, blue, and silver stand out beautifully against the snow.
• Ideal Conditions: Adapted to the Colorado climate, these trees thrive in well-drained soil and full sun.
• Care Tips: Ensure proper spacing and mulching for long-term health, as compacted snow can damage branches. Mulch around the base to retain moisture during dry winter months. Prune carefully to maintain their shape and health.
• Suitability: Evergreens such as Colorado Blue Spruce and Juniper are native to Colorado and thrive in the local climate.

• Why it Works in Winter: Ornamental grasses bring texture, movement, and golden hues to a winter landscape. Their seed heads catch frost beautifully, creating a stunning visual effect.
• Ideal Conditions: They thrive in well-drained soil and are drought-tolerant once established, making them ideal for Colorado’s dry winters.
• Care Tips: Leave grasses uncut during winter for added visual interest and to protect the crown. Prune back in early spring to encourage fresh growth.
• Suitability: Most ornamental grasses, such as Blue Fescue and Feather Reed Grass, are well-adapted to Colorado’s dry winters and cold temperatures.

• Why it Works in Winter: Also known as the “Christmas Rose,” hellebores are one of the few flowers that bloom in winter. Their nodding, cup-shaped flowers come in shades of white, pink, purple, and green.
• Ideal Conditions: Hellebores prefer partial to full shade and well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
• Care Tips: Mulch in the fall to protect the roots and enjoy their blooms even in snowy conditions. Ensure they’re planted in soil with good drainage to prevent root rot in icy, wet conditions.
• Suitability: Hellebores can survive mild Colorado winters, especially when planted in sheltered areas or given mulch for root protection.

• Why it Works in Winter: Known for its fiery red branches, red-twig dogwood provides a dramatic contrast to snowy backdrops. The vibrant stems retain their color throughout the cold months.
• Ideal Conditions: Thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a variety of soil types, including wet soil.
• Care Tips: Prune older stems in late winter or early spring to encourage the growth of brightly colored new shoots.
• Suitability: Red-twig dogwood is an excellent choice for Colorado winters. It tolerates cold temperatures and can even thrive in soggy or poor soils.

• Why it Works in Winter: Surprisingly resilient, certain pansy and viola varieties can survive light snow and frost, adding cheerful color to garden beds or containers.
• Ideal Conditions: Thrive in well-drained soil and partial to full sun.
• Care Tips: Plant in late fall and protect with mulch or fabric during extreme cold snaps.
• Suitability: Cold-hardy varieties of pansies and violas can survive early winter but may need protection during extended freezing temperatures.

• Why it Works in Winter: Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub that blooms in late winter, producing fragrant, spidery flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
• Ideal Conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, acidic soil.
• Care Tips: Plant in a location protected from harsh winds to ensure optimal flowering. Additional watering during dry spells is crucial.
• Suitability: Witch hazel can tolerate Colorado’s winter temperatures, but it performs best in areas with consistent moisture and some wind protection.

• Why it Works in Winter: This low-maintenance shrub features glossy green leaves that turn reddish-bronze in winter, along with clusters of bright red berries.
• Ideal Conditions: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Care Tips: Once established, cotoneaster is drought-tolerant, making it a practical choice for Colorado Springs. However, it may need supplemental water during prolonged dry periods.
• Suitability: Cotoneaster is highly adaptable and can withstand Colorado’s dry winters, making it a durable option for landscaping.

• Why it Works in Winter: Groundcovers like creeping juniper and bearberry add low-growing green tones to your winter landscape while stabilizing soil and preventing erosion.
• Ideal Conditions: Prefer full sun and are highly drought-tolerant, perfect for the Colorado climate.
• Care Tips: Minimal maintenance required—just ensure proper spacing during planting for healthy growth. Bearberry also prefers slightly acidic soil, so amendments may be necessary.
• Suitability: Creeping Juniper and Bearberry are excellent groundcover options for Colorado’s climate. They’re drought-tolerant and can handle freezing temperatures.

• Why it Works in Winter: Certain viburnum species retain their berries into winter, offering a pop of red color that attracts wildlife.
• Ideal Conditions: Viburnum thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
• Care Tips: Prune selectively to maintain shape and encourage berry production. Ensure the plant gets adequate sunlight and moisture, especially during winter droughts.
• Suitability: Certain viburnum species, such as Viburnum trilobum (American Cranberry Bush), can tolerate Colorado winters if planted in the right location.

• Hardiness Zones: Colorado Springs is in USDA Hardiness Zones 5b-6a. Make sure plants are rated for these zones.
• Soil Conditions: Many areas in Colorado have alkaline or clay-heavy soils. Soil amendments may be required to support some plants, especially acid-loving species.
• Wind and Dry Air: Colorado’s dry climate and frequent winter winds can stress plants. Providing windbreaks and supplemental watering is essential.
• Winter Watering: Many plants require occasional watering during dry winters to prevent root damage.
• Mulching: Adding mulch around the base of plants helps insulate the soil and protect roots.

If you’re unsure about the suitability of a particular plant or need help with soil preparation, layout, or plant selection, Fredell Enterprises can assist you. As experts in Colorado Springs landscaping, we specialize in creating custom landscapes that thrive year-round in Colorado’s challenging climate. Let us help you design a winter-friendly garden that’s as beautiful in December as it is in July!

A thoughtfully designed winter landscape can bring beauty and enjoyment to your yard, even during the coldest months. Whether you want to incorporate bold evergreens, delicate winter blooms, or vibrant berries, Fredell Enterprises can help. Our team of landscaping experts specializes in designing outdoor spaces that thrive year-round in Colorado Springs’ unique climate. We’ll work with you to select the perfect plants and create a landscape that’s as functional as it is beautiful.

Contact Fredell Enterprises today to start planning your winter-friendly landscape. Let us help you make the most of every season!