If you are looking for cold resistant plants to add to your gardens and landscapes, we are here to help. Cold-resistant plants are categorized by their ability to survive the lowest temperatures in specific zones, which are designated by the USDA. This means that, when planning a garden or landscape for winter survival, it's crucial to consider your area's hardiness zone. Only plants that are hardy to the zone in which you live will be able to withstand the coldest days of winter. Choosing the right cold-hardy plants not only ensures your landscape thrives through the winter months but also saves you from the disappointment of losing plants to freezing temperatures. In Northern Colorado, temperatures can get as low as -30 to -20°F, depending on where you are located. In this blog, we'll explore a variety of cold-resistant plants that can withstand these winter extremes, allowing your garden to come back vibrant and beautiful year after year.
The Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) is known for its striking blue-green needles, which maintain their color and vibrancy throughout the winter months, making it a top choice for winter interest in landscapes. This hardy evergreen is not only beautiful but incredibly resilient, capable of withstanding the harsh cold and snowy conditions typical of Colorado winters. With its symmetrical, pyramidal shape and dense foliage, it offers year-round structure and elegance to any outdoor space. Known for thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 2-7, the Colorado Blue Spruce is perfectly suited for Colorado's climate, making it an ideal choice for anyone seeking a low-maintenance, cold-hardy tree that can survive and thrive even in freezing temperatures. Its adaptability and cold tolerance make it a long-lasting and stunning addition to both residential and commercial landscapes.
Plant Type: Evergreen Tree
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Height: 10' - 12'
Width: 7' - 8'
Viburnum trilobum, commonly known as the American cranberry bush, is a versatile and hardy deciduous shrub, native to North America. It is particularly valued for its brilliant red berries that persist through the winter, providing both a splash of color and a vital food source for wildlife. In spring, the shrub produces clusters of white flowers, which later give way to its signature berries. Known for its ability to withstand cold temperatures, the American cranberry bush is highly tolerant of harsh winters and thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 7. Its dense, multi-stemmed growth habit makes it an excellent choice for hedging or as a standalone ornamental plant in cold-climate landscapes. Additionally, its adaptability to various soil conditions and its ability to grow in full sun to partial shade makes it an easy-to-maintain plant that adds both aesthetic and ecological value to any garden.
Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Height: 8' - 12'
Width: 8' - 12'
3. Hosta
Hostas are hardy perennials known for their lush, broad leaves that thrive in a variety of climates, including those with harsh winter conditions. These plants are well-suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9, meaning they can survive freezing temperatures and will return each spring after lying dormant through the colder months. Hostas are particularly admired for their ability to handle shade and still produce vibrant, attractive foliage, ranging in colors from deep green to blue and even variegated patterns. Even when their leaves die back in fall, their underground root system remains protected, ready to regenerate as soon as spring arrives, making them a reliable choice for cold climates.
Plant Type: Perennial
Light Requirements: Shade, Partial Sun
Height: 9" - 30"
Width: 18" - 6'
4. Daylilies (Hemerocallis)
Daylilies are exceptionally resilient perennials, renowned for their ability to thrive in a variety of climates, including those with cold winters. These winter hardy plants are well-suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9, meaning they can easily survive freezing temperatures. Although daylilies bloom during the warmer months, producing vibrant flowers in an array of colors, they can endure the cold by going dormant during winter. With minimal care, daylilies are a dependable and colorful addition to any landscape, providing beauty throughout summer and resilience throughout winter.
Plant Type: Perennial
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Height: 10" - 12"
Width: 18" - 24"
Peonies are beloved for their large, vibrant blooms that burst into life in the spring, but they are equally prized for their ability to withstand harsh winter conditions. These perennials are extremely cold-hardy, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8, which includes areas that can get as cold as -40°F. Peonies enter a dormancy phase during winter, where the plant's energy is stored in its robust root system, allowing it to survive even the coldest temperatures. When the weather warms in spring, they emerge with fresh growth, making peonies a low-maintenance yet visually striking choice for gardeners looking for plants that can handle winter while providing spectacular blooms year after year.
Plant Type: Perennial
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Height: 18" - 3'
Width: ~ 24"
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass is a versatile and hardy ornamental grass that provides year-round visual appeal in the landscape. Known for its upright, slender form, it remains attractive throughout the winter months, maintaining its structure and golden-brown color when other plants have faded. Even under snow, its graceful, feather-like seed heads sway gently in the wind, adding movement and texture to a winter garden. This grass is highly valued for its ability to endure cold temperatures, making it a great choice for creating winter interest in a variety of landscapes. Its low-maintenance nature and strong visual presence make Karl Foerster an ideal plant for providing seasonal structure and beauty, even in the colder months.
Plant Type: Perennial Grass
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Height: 3" - 6'
Width: 18" - 3'
The Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is a robust deciduous tree known for its ability to withstand cold climates, making it a popular choice in colder regions. This tree thrives in a range of soil conditions and can endure harsh winters, displaying resilience in temperatures typical of USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8. Its vibrant green leaves turn to striking shades of red and brown in autumn, adding seasonal beauty to landscapes. Besides its aesthetic appeal, the Northern Red Oak provides ample shade and can grow to impressive heights, making it a long-lasting and valuable addition to any landscape.
Plant Type: Deciduous Tree
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Height: 60' - 70'
Width: 30' - 60'
Rudbeckia, commonly known as Black-eyed Susans, are resilient perennial plants that survive winter outside with no problem. Known for its vibrant yellow or orange daisy-like flowers with dark centers, Rudbeckia brings a burst of late-summer color to gardens. Despite its delicate appearance, it handles cold winters with ease, going dormant during the freezing months and returning vigorously each spring. These hardy plants are low-maintenance and can tolerate drought once established, making them an excellent choice for Colorado landscapes.
Plant Type: Perennial
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Height: 24" - 3'
Width: 12" - 24"
Sedums, often referred to as stonecrops, are versatile and resilient succulents well-suited for colder zones. These drought-tolerant plants require minimal maintenance once established. In addition to their hardiness, sedums boast a wide array of textures, shapes, and colors, ranging from vibrant greens to deep reds and purples, making them visually appealing throughout the seasons. During winter, many sedum varieties retain their sturdy, colorful foliage, adding unique interest to the landscape even in the cold months. With their ability to flourish in rock gardens, borders, and containers, sedums are an excellent choice for gardeners looking to create a low-maintenance yet striking winter landscape.
Plant Type: Perennial
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Height: ~ 24"
Width: 18" - 24"
Lilacs are beloved shrubs renowned for their breathtaking, fragrant blossoms that herald the arrival of spring. These hardy plants thrive in a variety of soil types and are well-suited to cold climates, making them an ideal choice for Colorado gardens. Beyond their stunning aesthetics, lilacs also attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to a vibrant garden ecosystem. With their combination of beauty and resilience, these cold resistant plants will grace your yard with beauty for years to come.
Plant Type: Deciduous Shrub
Light Requirements: Full Sun, Partial Sun
Height: 24" - 12'
Width: 24" - 12'
Shop Cold Resistant Plants at Bath Garden Center
If you're seeking winter hardy plants to enhance your gardens and landscapes, Bath Garden Center in Fort Collins offers a diverse selection that thrives in our Colorado climate. Our extensive inventory features hundreds of carefully curated options, all chosen by our knowledgeable horticulturists to ensure they not only survive but flourish throughout the entire year. From vibrant perennials to resilient shrubs, we have something for every garden style. Visit us in-store or shop our online collection to find the perfect plants that survive winter outside!