6 hardy shrubs to plant now if you don't want your garden to look bare this winter

Although there's still plenty to do in the garden during the winter months, our gardens are mostly dormant, meaning they can look rather dreary. Fortunately, key shrub varieties can be added to your garden to brighten it up during these months.

With so many plants for autumn colour, it's a shame for our gardens to go dull and lifeless when winter hits. And while plenty of plants will thrive in a wet garden, only particularly hardy varieties will look lush during heavy rain and frost.

Here are the hardy shrub varieties gardeners recommend planting to add pleasing seasonal coverage.

6 winter-friendly shrubs to plant in November

There are plenty of ways to enliven your garden in winter, from exterior lighting trends to adding more winter-friendly perennials. But if your garden is looking particularly sparse this season, here are the best expert-approved shrubs to add foliage, colour and life.

Winter jasmine

As one of the best plants for privacy, jasmine in all varieties is a great addition to your garden. The winter type, though, is ideal for adding some much-needed seasonal charm and flowers.

“Winter jasmine is a lovely choice if you want to brighten up your garden when little else is in flower,” says Jo McGarry, luxury garden design expert at Caragh Nurseries.

"It is also really versatile, as you can train it against a wall or fence, let it trail over a bank or use it to soften a garden border. It is fairly low maintenance once established and grows well in both sunny and partially shaded spots," she explains.

Mahonia

It's no surprise Mahonia is good for winter gardens, as it is one of the toughest plants that will survive in the toughest spots in any outdoor space.

“Mahonia is a really useful shrub, particularly if you have a darker corner of the garden that needs brightening up,” points out Jo.

“It grows well in partial or full shade, so you don't need lots of direct sunlight to enjoy it. The evergreen leaves give you year-round interest, while the yellow flowers add a lovely splash of colour during winter,” she says.

Growing mahonias is also a great way to help garden wildlife during autumn and winter, as it provides a source of nectar for pollinators.

Witch hazel

“Witch hazel is a lovely choice if you want something a bit different. suggests Jo. "The flowers really stand out when the rest of the garden is looking bare, and some varieties have a gorgeous fragrance, too.

"I'd recommend planting it near a pathway or seating area so you can enjoy the scent, rather than tucking it away at the back of a border."

A shrub like this will transform your garden without blowing the budget – not only adding colour but fragrance to enjoy through the winter too.

Winter-flowering viburnum

Viburnum is a plant that thrives on neglect, so it's perfect for this time of year when you don't want to be outside maintaining your plot.

“I love winter-flowering viburnum because it brings a softer splash of colour to the garden when everything else can look quite dull,” explains Jo. “The fragrance is a real bonus, too, so I'd recommend planting it somewhere you regularly walk past, rather than hiding it away at the back of a border.”

It's also one of the most fragrant plants for scenting outdoor space, much like witch hazel.

Christmas box

If you're limited to plants that perform well in shade, then Christmas box is a great choice for your garden. It's also a great plant year-round, so it's an investment worth making.

“Christmas box is proof that you don't need big, colourful flowers to make an impact,” says Jo.

“It is also ideal for shadier spots where other plants might struggle, so I'd recommend planting it near your front door or along a pathway where you can enjoy the lovely scent as you walk past. Its evergreen leaves will keep your garden looking green all year round, too.”

Winter heather

Winter heather is a great bedding plant to fill your garden; it provides height, foliage and plenty of colour with its purple blooms.

“Winter heather is a great option if you're short on space but still want to brighten things up," Jo explains. “It looks lovely planted in groups along the front of a border or in pots near the house. I'd recommend mixing a few different colours for a fuller display. Just make sure it has plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil so it doesn't sit in water over winter.”

If you have a north-facing garden, you may struggle to get the heather to flower as well. Finding a spot of sunshine should help it along.

FAQs

What shrubs look good all year?

Sorting your garden out every season can be time-consuming, so finding plants that look great all year round can be a real saviour.

"When choosing shrubs, I always think it's worth looking at what they'll offer throughout the year, rather than just how they look when they're in flower. You want something that still brings interest to the garden once the flowers have disappeared, whether that's through its foliage, shape, colour or fragrance,” says Jo.

"Choisya, also known as Mexican orange blossom, is a really good all-rounder. It keeps its green leaves all year, produces lovely fragrant white flowers in spring and can sometimes flower again later in the year. Pittosporum is another good choice because there are so many different varieties, with foliage in shades of green, silver and cream that can add colour and texture to a border," she explains.

"I'd also recommend Camellias if you want something that puts on a bit more of a display. Their glossy green leaves look lovely all year, and then they produce beautiful flowers towards the end of winter and into spring. It's all about choosing a mixture of shrubs that offer something at different times, so the garden doesn't feel like it's only looking its best for a few months of the year," Jo finishes.

Another way to keep your garden low-effort is switching to perennials; they're usually much hardier, and you don't have to replace them every year.

Another great way to keep your garden low-maintenance is by planting self-seeding flowers. That way, you'll enjoy blooms every year without sowing a single seed.