Hellebores-Helleborus
Hellebores, sometimes known as the Christmas or Lenten Rose, are a perennial hardy to Zone 4 and can survive temperatures of -35 degrees. They’ll grace your yard from late winter on until March and sometimes April and come in a variety of colors with beautiful spear-shaped foliage as a bonus. Hellebores prefer a rich, loamy, neutral to alkaline soil, and some protection from sun and drying winds. One note of concern, the plants are toxic if consumed so best left to gardens without small children or pets.

Flowering Cabbage or Kale- Brassica oleracea
Not just for corn beef anymore! This ornamental annual is frost tolerant with leafy foliage in colors ranging from pink and purple to yellow and green. The best time to plant is early fall. The intensely colorful pigmentations that Kale plants are known for do not appear until after prolonged cool weather and a few frosts. Plant in a sunny protected area or close to a foundation or sidewalk as a very cold snap can injure or kill them.

Redosier Dogwood- Cornus sericea
This shrub is a multi-stemmed, large deciduous shrub with year round interest. Light green leaves in the spring highlight fluffy white flowers and then white berries in clusters during the late summer. Fall brings dark red leaves that show very well in the garden. As the leaves fall away in winter the branches turn a deep, dark red for show that doesn’t stop. Plant in rows or groups for a lovely red complement to evergreens in the snow.

Witch Hazel-Hamemelis
This late winter blooming hybrid shrub is will bloom in the last dreary days of winter, its branches becoming dotted with fragrant, colorful, spidery flowers. Plant hybrid witch hazel in full to partial sun and organic-rich, acid or neutral soil with even moisture and good drainage.

Winterberry-Ilex Verticillita
One of the most beautiful of the hollies, this is a deciduous specimen with lovely green leaves in summer that fall away to reveal stunning red berries in the winter. They are dioecious plants, that is, there is a separate male and female plant with the female producing the berries. One male winterberry will be sufficient for pollinating 9-10 female plants. Flowers appear on new growth. Plant in average, acidic soil in full sun to part shade.

This is a small sample of plants that can complement your garden in the dreary winter months. Of course don’t forget the early-blooming bulbs such as winter aconite, snowdrops and crocus. Pansies also do well if winters aren’t especially harsh although they are known to buck the trend and flower in spite of the cold or seemingly die only to come back as spring approaches. These plants, and many more, can add beauty and charm to help chase away the chilly doldrums.