As the seasons change, your gardening routine will inevitably change, too. Even as the leaves freeze over, though, you don’t have to say goodbye to a vibrant, thriving landscape. While many plants only thrive during the spring and summer months, annuals offer beauty all year round. The following guide outlines just a few plants to liven up your landscape this upcoming season.

Gardening 101: 3 Annuals to Plant

1. Winterberries 

Often found on holiday wreaths, winterberries are a picturesque plant for the cold season ahead. The plant’s vibrant red color looks lovely surrounded by green foliage or a fresh coat of snow. Winterberries remain hardy through Zone 2, which means the plant can thrive in nearly the coldest climate range in the nation. For optimal growth, plant winterberries in fall and ensure they receive full sun and plenty of moist soil.

2. Blue Spruce

This charming spruce will add life to any garden through the winter season and beyond. As a popular Christmas tree option, blue spruce never ceases to evoke the spirit of the season. Like winterberries, these trees will remain hardy through Zone 2, making them an idyllic cold weather plant for most areas. Blue spruces love full sun and offer excellent protection against strong winter winds. They are typically low-maintenance and easy to cultivate.

3. Pansies

Not only do pansies offer a great, florid accompaniment to wintertime cocktails and salads, they also thrive in very chilly weather. While they will need an extra layer of mulch during the winter months to prevent freezing, wind damage, or dehydration, they can endure even through snowfall. Ideally, pansies should be planted near the end of winter for early springtime growth.  

For the selection of annuals you need to enhance your landscape, head to Columbia, MO’s top gardening resource. Since 1990, The Gardener has remained everyone’s one-stop-shop for landscaping, lawn, and gardening needs. To learn more about the locally owned and operated business, check out their brief history online. If you have any questions, call today at (573) 446-0802.