Top Winter-Color Plants for Chattanooga, Tennessee

Winter doesn't mean your landscape has to fade! There are many ways to bring pops of color, texture, and interest all season. Let’s explore some plants that hold strong through our zone 7 climate.

Winter gardens offer countless chances to appreciate the beauty of the colder months. The season highlights bold contrasts, subtle details, and vibrant bursts of color from blooms and berries that stand out against an evergreen backdrop. While winter is a period of rest for many plants—when soil, roots, and stems store energy for spring—it’s also a season when the right selections can truly shine. With thoughtful choices, your garden can stay lively and inspiring even on the coldest days.

A winter garden can feel surprisingly abundant, and though it varies by climate, it never has to feel dull. Winter-blooming plants add welcome flashes of color and provide much-needed nectar for pollinators. Deciduous trees and shrubs reveal unique silhouettes and offer shelter for wildlife, while fruiting plants brighten the landscape and serve as natural forage for birds. Evergreen plants tie everything together, providing structure and year-round presence.

Ultimately, a beautiful winter garden depends on strong design—thoughtful layout, plant selection, and intentional focal points. Form, texture, color, and placement all play key roles. Winter reveals the true framework of your landscape, making it the perfect time to appreciate (and enhance) what anchors your space. Here are 25 ideas to help you create a stunning winter garden.

🌸 Flowering Winter Annuals

1. Pansies — Vibrant blooms that thrive in cold weather.
2. Violas — Smaller than pansies, bloom longer and often tougher.
3. Snapdragons — Bold vertical color in reds, pinks, yellows, and oranges.
4. Dianthus — Hardy and fragrant with pink, red, or white blooms.
5. Calendula — Warm golden-orange flowers that can handle chilly temps.

🍃 Colorful Foliage Plants

6. Ornamental Kale & Cabbage — Purple, pink, white, and green color all winter.
7. Dusty Miller — Soft silvery leaves that pair beautifully with winter blooms.
8. Heuchera (Coral Bells) — Foliage ranges from deep burgundy to lime green.
9. Ajuga — Evergreen groundcover with blue-toned winter foliage.
10. Variegated Ivy — Adds trailing texture with cream and green leaves.

🌿 Cold-Hardy Perennials & Shrubs

11. Hellebores (Lenten Rose) — Bloom late winter with stunning nodding flowers.
12. Winter Heather (Erica / Calluna) — Pink and purple winter blooms.
13. Nandina ‘Firepower’ — Fiery red winter foliage that really pops.
14. Winterberry Holly — Bright red berries through the cold months.
15. Red-Twig Dogwood — Striking red stems all winter long.
16. Mahonia — Spiky foliage with fragrant yellow blooms in winter.
17. Camellias (Sasanqua & Japonica) — One of the best winter bloomers in the South.
18. Rosemary — Evergreen herb with small winter blooms and year-round color.
19. Loropetalum — Deep wine-colored foliage with bursts of pink flowers.
20. Evergreen Boxwood or Holly — For structure, deep green color, and winter reliability.

A winter garden is a true delight—whether you’re strolling among its beauty or enjoying the view from the warmth of your home. It’s a season for reflection, observation, and, most importantly, planning for the vibrant spring ahead. By following these tips, you can create a winter garden that continues to captivate with seasonal charm. Even in the colder months, there’s always something intriguing to see. For expert guidance in designing and installing your landscaping, trust the team at Full Circle Land Design.