Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't adorn your porch and yard with beautiful plants! Most people assume that, if their landscaping doesn't already include planted evergreens, then decorative greenery is out of the question for the cold season. But as long as you consider your local climate before purchasing, potted plants can be your best friend.

 

First, you have to determine which Plant Hardiness Zone you live in, a system that divides the US into climate-based zones numbering 1-11. Then subtract 2 from your Plant Hardiness Zone to get the ideal hardiness of your potted shrub. This ensures that, even when temperatures dip lower than is usual for your region, the weather won't damage your plants beyond repair. Here in Western North Carolina, we're Zone 7, so your winter plants should be of the Zone 5 variety.

Two popular types of Zone 5 evergreen shrubs are the yew and boxwood, each with a variety of species that offer different textures (i.e., Japanese Yew, Brown's Yew, Winter Gem Boxwood, English Boxwood). Regardless of your shrub choice, you can either prune your plant or let its natural beauty take over. Arranging these types of potted plants around your doorway, steps, walkways, or throughout your yard can add a subtle touch to winter's stunning simplicity.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that keeping potted plants outdoors throughout winter requires an extra step to the watering process. In the event that the ground beneath the pot freezes, water won't be able to drain properly from the holes in the bottom of the container. This creates a problem, because the soil in the pot will thaw before the ground beneath it, trapping the water around the plant's roots and potentially rotting them. Combat this during freezing temperatures by slightly propping the pot to a tilt, allowing the water to drain once the potted soil thaws.

So, remember, the wintertime is no time to abandon your outdoor landscaping!