Want To Grow Four Season Containers? Try These 6 Best Plants For Pots All Year Round

Adding some color, texture, and interest is a sure way to spruce up winter containers. But, finding the best plants for pots all year round can prove to be difficult. Fortunately, there is a wide range of cold-tolerant species from which to choose if you are looking for container gardening options with year-round staying power. This includes those that feature vibrant foliage, robust color and an impressive hardiness. Below, we’ll explore some of the most popular plants for year-round containers, from dynamic winter interest to the backdrop for spring and summer displays.

Choosing the Best Plants for Pots All Year Round

The best year-round plants for pots are those that offer ornamental value. Though many plants can survive containers through winter, those that remain attractive are of special interest. You can avoid one of the most common container mistakes by choosing plants based on tolerance.

Outdoor year-round potted plants should also be well-suited to the region. The best plants for containers all year round should also demonstrate tolerance to cold, and be adaptable to local growing conditions. These considerations can help ensure that the plants you select remain healthy throughout the winter, with persisting beauty from spring through fall.

1. Boxwood

Boxwoods are among the best year-round porch plants. Their use in containers is unmatched in terms of overall ease of growth and lasting, evergreen beauty. Like with any potted specimen, make certain to choose only those boxwood shrub varieties that demonstrate an enhanced tolerance to cold.

Additional protection may be needed when conditions are especially harsh to prevent winter burn and other damage. This is most often achieved by using mulch, frost blankets, and other types of wrapping. Most boxwoods are hardy to USDA zones 5-9.

2. Camellia

Camellias make exceptionally beautiful year-round plants for pots. Glossy, evergreen foliage serves as a focal point for porches, patios and other outdoor spaces. Their late-winter bloom time enhances the landscape, covering shrubs with large, fragrant flowers. Container-grown camellias are best kept in regions with mild winter weather, as many types may be susceptible to cold.

Hardy varieties are among the best candidates for winter containers. Be sure to protect those that are more tender. Camellias are hardy to USDA zones 7-10.

3. False Cypress

False cypress are ideal for use in winter containers. These plants demonstrate impressive hardiness and ornamental value when kept in pots. Cold and windy conditions can, however, cause damage to their delicate foliage. Mulching, wrapping, and/or shielding false cypress plants during periods of inclement weather may help prevent winter damage and keep potted shrubs looking their best.

Deer and other browsing wildlife may also be a source of injury when the weather is cold. Plants are generally considered hardy to USDA zones 4-8.

4. Heuchera

Like many species, care for potted heuchera, or coral bells, in winter will vary by region. In warmer zones, you can expect potted specimens to flourish through winter with very little to no additional care. During this time, evergreen foliage remains vibrant, withstanding brief periods of frost with relative ease.

If you live in cooler climates you will likely need to protect containers from the cold to prevent damage or loss of the plants. This includes the use of mulch and protective barriers. Most heuchera species, such as Bronze Wave by Green Promise Farms, available from the Gardening Know How Shop, are hardy to USDA zones 4-9.

5. Juniper

When it comes to plants for pots all year round, juniper is often overlooked. Potted juniper specimens make an especially attractive addition to both mixed and stand-alone winter containers. To plant juniper, select larger containers that can withstand routine cycles of freeze and thaw.

Concrete planters are often among the best options, allowing ample room for root development and good drainage. Though most species, like Blue Star and Gold Cone, both available from the Gardening Know How Shop, can withstand harsh winter conditions, plants will benefit from protection from strong winds or sudden swings in temperature. Juniper is hardy to USDA zones 3-9.

6. Sedum

Sedums are well-suited to a wide range of growing conditions. While their tolerance to heat and drought makes the plant ideal for use in the summer landscape, its adaptability further lends to its use in cold-weather containers. Preparing potted sedum for winter should begin in the fall when the plants can be pruned back.

Most varieties will remain dormant throughout the coldest months of the year, springing back to life with the arrival of warmer temperatures. Though their winter tolerance varies by species, most types are hardy to USDA zones 3-9.

Try These Garden Gifting Ideas for Long Seasons of Color

• Delight ornamental flower lovers and evergreen lovers with these winter plants for seasonal interest to take you through winter and into spring.
• Encourage evergreen lovers to expand their growing horizons with these unique holiday evergreen ideas for years of gorgeous natural color.
• Grab a headstart on the coming gardening calendar with these curated seed starting gift ideas for flowers and edibles.
• Browse more ideas in the GKH Shop's Garden Gifts section.

This article features products available from third party vendors on the Gardening Know How Shop.