How to Grow Winter Shrubs - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Winter shrubs is a plant that is perfect for those cold winter months. They are easy to take care of and can provide your home with some much-needed color during the bleak winter months.

How to Grow Winter Shrubs - Plant Care & Tips

Also known as

  • boxwood
  • holly
  • yew
  • hemlock
  • juniper

Things to Know

  • Winter shrubs are great for adding color and interest to your landscape during the colder months.
  • Most winter shrubs are evergreen, meaning they will keep their foliage all winter long.
  • Winter shrubs can provide valuable shelter for wildlife during the coldest months.
  • Many winter shrubs produce berries that provide food for birds and other wildlife.
  • Some winter shrubs have fragrant flowers that provide a pleasant scent in the landscape.
  • Winter shrubs can be used to create hedges, windbreaks, and privacy screens.
  • Most winter shrubs are relatively low-maintenance and easy to care for.
  • Winter shrubs are generally very tolerant of cold weather and will thrive in winter climates.
  • Many winter shrubs can be pruned to shape and control their growth.
  • Winter shrubs add beauty and interest to your landscape and can be a great addition to any home garden.

How to Grow

  1. For winter shrubs, first step is to find a spot in your yard that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
  2. Then, measure the area where you want to plant your shrub.
  3. Next, prepare the soil by loosening it with a shovel and adding some organic matter.
  4. Once the soil is prepared, it is time to dig a hole for your shrub. The hole should be twice as wide as the root ball and just deep enough so the top of the root ball is level with the ground.
  5. After you have finished digging the hole, gently remove the shrub from its container and place it in the hole.
  6. Once the shrub is in the hole, backfill the hole with the soil you removed earlier.
  7. Tamp down the soil around the shrub to remove any air pockets.
  8. Water the shrub generously.
  9. Lastly, add a layer of mulch around the shrub to help retain moisture and protect it from extreme temperatures.

Related plant:
Winter Rose Plant

Soil Condition

About soil condition, well-drained soil is critical for winter shrubs. The roots of winter shrubs are subject to rotting if the soil is too wet. They also need nutrients to stay healthy during the winter months. Fertilize in early spring and again in mid-fall with a balanced fertilizer.

Light requirement

So, like the other plants, shrubs need sunlight to grow. But how much sun your shrub needs depends on the type of plant. Some shrubs thrive in full sun, while others prefer partial sun or shade. When choosing a shrub for your garden, pay attention to the sun requirements listed on the plant tag. Full sun shrubs need at least six hours of sunlight per day, while partial sun shrubs need four to six hours of sunlight. Shade shrubs need fewer than four hours of sunlight per day. If you're not sure how much sun your garden gets, take a look at it throughout the day. If it's mostly sunny, it's a good spot for full sun or partial sun shrubs. If it's shady most of the day, look for shade shrubs.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition during winter affects the growth of shrubs. During the winter, the ground temperature becomes very cold and the air temperature is also cold. This can damage the roots of the shrubs and make them dormant. In order to prevent this, the shrubs need to be covered with a layer of mulch or straw.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% or less. If the humidity is too high, the plant will suffer from leaf drop and root rot. If the humidity is too low, the plant will become stressed and susceptible to pests and diseases.

Fertilizer Requirement

Mentioning fertilizer, this plant food is important to shrubs in winter for two reasons. The first reason is that it provides food for the plants. The second reason is that it helps the plants to take up water from the soil. This is especially important in winter when the ground is frozen and the plants can't get water from the soil. There are different types of fertilizer that can be used on shrubs in winter. The type of fertilizer you use will depend on the type of shrub you have and the conditions of your soil. If you are unsure about what type of fertilizer to use, ask a nursery or garden center employee for help. When applying fertilizer to shrubs in winter, be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer package. Over-fertilizing can damage the plants. Also, apply the fertilizer to the soil around the base of the shrubs, not directly to the plants.

About light

Pruning is important for winter shrubs because it helps them stay healthy and maintain their shape. It is best to prune shrubs in the late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. When pruning, be sure to remove any dead or diseased branches, as well as any that are crossing or rubbing against each other.

Plant Propagation

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from a parent plant. There are many ways to propagate plants, but one of the simplest and most effective ways is to take cuttings. Winter shrubs are a great plant to propagate by taking cuttings. This is because they are typically very hardy and can withstand the colder temperatures. Plus, winter shrubs typically have a lot of growth potential, so taking cuttings is a great way to create new plants. To take cuttings from winter shrubs, you will need a sharp knife or pruning shears. Cut a stem that is about 6 inches long and make sure that there are at least 3-4 leaves on the stem. Then, remove the bottom leaves and dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone. Next, fill a pot with a well-draining potting mix and insert the cutting. Be sure to water the potting mix well and then place the pot in a warm, sunny location. Cuttings should root within 4-8 weeks. Once the cuttings have rooted, you can then transplant them into their own pots or into the ground.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is very slow during the winter months. Some evergreen species may lose their leaves or needles during the winter, but their growth beneath the ground continues. Many deciduous shrubs go dormant during the winter and their growth resumes when the weather warms in spring.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are freezing, drying out, and pests. To avoid freezing, choose shrubs that are hardy in your area and plant them in well-drained soil. Water them regularly during the growing season, and mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture. To avoid drying out, make sure to water shrubs slowly and deeply, and apply a layer of mulch to help protect the roots from heat and drought. To avoid pests, choose shrubs that are resistant to pests in your area, and keep an eye out for signs of pests such as chewing damage, webbing, or stippling.

Tips on Growing

  • If you are growing winter shrubs in containers, make sure that the containers are big enough to accommodate the roots of the shrubs.
  • Water the winter shrubs regularly. Do not let the soil dry out completely.
  • Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the winter shrubs. This will help to keep the roots cool and moist.
  • Fertilize the winter shrubs regularly. Use a fertilizer specially formulated for shrubs.
  • Prune the winter shrubs regularly. This will help to encourage new growth.
  • Protect the winter shrubs from cold winds. In areas where there are strong winds, you may need to provide some type of windbreak.
  • Protect the winter shrubs from excessive sun exposure. In areas where the sun is very strong, you may need to provide some type of shading.
  • Protect the winter shrubs from heavy rains. In areas where

Alternative Plants

  • Winter Daphne (Daphne odora)
  • Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum)
  • Winter Savory (Satureja montana)
  • Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)
  • Winter Cherry (Physalis alkekengi)
  • Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
  • Winter Cress (Barbarea verna)
  • Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
  • Winter squill (Scilla siberica)
  • Wintergreen boxwood (Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis)

Source:
Choosing Winter Flowering Shrubs – Tip Sheet #10 - King County
Winter-flowering Trees and Shrubs - University of Florida
Tips for preparing landscape trees and shrubs for winter

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category