As a full-service landscaping company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, we know a thing or two about plants that can withstand our region’s occasionally harsh winter conditions.
Even though winters here are relatively mild compared to other parts of the country, the right plant choices are still key to having an attractive, lush landscape all year long. There are quite a few beautiful shrubs and plants that positively thrive through Charlotte winters.
In this post, we’ll share our top 5 favorite picks for winter warriors in the garden – plants that provide greenery, texture, and even color during the colder months. We’ll also discuss specifically why each plant is an ideal choice for Charlotte’s winter climate.
Finally, we’ll let you know how we can help if you’d like to refresh your garden this season with any of these spectacular shrubs or plants. Our team is ready to help with all aspects of bringing winter beauty to your landscape, from planning and design through planting and maintenance.
1. Boxwood Shrubs
Few shrubs represent classic southern garden beauty better than boxwoods. These evergreen shrubs maintain their rich green foliage all winter long, providing structure and definition to the garden even during cold snaps and light freezes.
There are several boxwood varieties to choose from, but we especially like Wintergreen Boxwood. This hardy, deer-resistant boxwood has a nice rounded form that works well in foundation plantings, hedges, topiaries, and more.
We also recommend Green Velvet Boxwood as one of the finest winter-tolerant boxwoods. It keeps its color through Charlotte winters and has a nice full shape. This versatility makes it ideal for both formal and informal garden designs.
No matter which boxwood you choose, proper siting and care is key to success through the winter. We ensure boxwoods have the well-drained, slightly acidic soil they prefer here in the Piedmont region. Mulching after planting prevents roots from heaving during freeze/thaw cycles. Some protection may be needed during severe cold snaps.
With the right variety and care, boxwoods will be a backbone of winter appeal in Charlotte area landscapes for years to come.
2. Japanese Camellias
Camellias are treasured staples of Southern gardens, and Japanese camellias are especially winter-hardy for Charlotte climates. These evergreen shrubs produce gorgeous rose-like blooms during fall, winter and early spring when little else is in flower.
Camellias do best in sheltered spots out of harsh winter winds. High soil organic matter and moisture levels are also important during drier winter periods. We amend soil carefully at planting and make sure camellias are well-mulched. This helps the shallow roots stay evenly moist and prevents freeze damage.
With the proper care, Japanese camellias will reward you with their lush evergreen foliage and gorgeous winter blooms for years to come.
3. Heavenly Bamboo
While not a true bamboo, Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) is a popular ornamental shrub that keeps its foliage through Charlotte winters. It also produces its signature red berries just in time for the holiday season, holding them until spring.
We love using Heavenly Bamboo in multiple landscape roles:
- Mass planted as an evergreen groundcover
- As an ornamental specimen plant, especially the compact cultivars like Firepower and Moon Bay
- Planted in rows or groupings to form a living screen or informal hedge
New leaf growth on nandina starts out reddish-pink in spring, then matures to bright green or bluish-green, depending on variety. Autumn brings new intense red foliage coloring on many types. Through all of these changes, the lacy-cut leaf shape gives great texture.
Heavenly bamboo prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Mulch also helps protect the shallow root zones. As long as its basic needs are met, this plant will thrive right through freezing Charlotte winter temperatures.
The red berries and foliage make nandina a festive addition to winter gardens. It also gives year-round structure as an evergreen backdrop to other seasonal plants.
4. Oakleaf Hydrangea
The oakleaf hydrangea is a dramatic shrub that truly excels in Charlotte area winters. Unlike other hydrangeas, it features showy winter structure along with nice fall color. Prominent peeling cinnamon-colored bark and large dried flower heads add winter interest.
This plant makes an excellent specimen shrub, particularly in partly shaded locations. It also works well in groupings and mixed borders. We recommend the Alice oakleaf hydrangea cultivar for especially robust winter beauty in Charlotte climates.
As with other hydrangeas, oakleaf varieties need well-amended, organically rich soil with good moisture retention. Careful siting out of wind and full sun exposure is key. We ensure winter-damaging desiccation doesn’t occur by checking soil moisture levels if cold periods last more than a few days.
With proper placement and care, Alice oakleaf hydrangea will light up even the dreariest winter garden in Charlotte with eye-catching height and structure.
5. Winter Honeysuckle
Last but certainly not least on our list of top Charlotte plants for winter is Lonicera fragrantissima – winter honeysuckle. Unlike its invasive Japanese cousins, this variety is a very well-behaved shrub perfect for the Charlotte climate.
Winter honeysuckle more than makes up for its lack of summer flowers by blooming abundantly from January through March, with sweetly fragrant white flowers. It also stands out with its blue-green evergreen leaves that turn purplish-red in cold weather.
Use winter honeysuckle singly or grouped as part of a mixed border or foundation planting. It’s the perfect choice near outdoor living spaces where its fragrance can be enjoyed during late winter walks in the garden.
As with other plants on this list, winter honeysuckle does best in organically enriched, well-drained soil. A thick layer of mulch around the roots helps moderate soil temperature changes. Some afternoon shade is ideal as well.
Even the coldest Charlotte winter days get a lift from winter honeysuckle’s lush evergreen foliage and abundant honey-scented blooms. It’s a real harbinger of spring.
Let Us Help Keep Your Winter Garden Thriving
We hope this list of outstanding winter plants and shrubs has you thinking about possibilities for your own Charlotte area landscape. With the right plants and proper care, your garden can be a place of beauty and enjoyment all winter long.
Our team at Hyatt Landscaping has decades of experience designing, installing, and maintaining winter gardens that thrive through whatever cold conditions come our way.
We’d be delighted to meet with you and come up with a custom winter landscape plan tailored for your specific needs. Whether a few new foundation plantings or an entire garden overhaul, we can transform your outdoor space into a winter oasis.
Contact us today to receive a landscape design consultation!