Winter-Friendly Canadian Plants That Will Survive (and Thrive) in the Cold

The most stunning part about this shrub is not the modest white flowers that appear in summertime, but the bright red berries that continue to grow throughout the winter, adding a bright splash of colour against the frosty environment. While the berries are not edible to humans, birds and small mammals do enjoy this native North American plant’s fruit.

Witch hazel, which has many uses including treating skin irritation and acne, flowers in the winter. This plant thrives in a sunny, yet chilly winter climate and the striking yellow flowers have a lovely sweet scent.

Canadian gardeners know to look for this flowering plant in late winter or early spring. It’s often the first sign of life to spring up through the frosty ground in February. They dislike warm temperatures, and can only grow in colder winter climates. This is one outdoor plant that doesn’t need to be protected from frost.

Pansies come in many varieties, but common among them is a taste for a cool climate. This flower can be planted in the fall to flower in the wintertime and treated as a perennial or annual.

There are many varieties of juniper trees, but the evergreen is the best choice for a hardy plant that retains its green needles all winter long. They’re adaptable to many climates and provide great wind cover due to their densely packed branches, making them a great choice for garden borders.

We couldn’t skip this plant, which produces leaves that are an iconic Canadian symbol! The sugar maple is known for its distinct leaves and of course, for producing maple syrup. The prime syrup season is at the tail end of winter and early spring.

Not actually a rose, this winter flower blooms through the frost in milder winter climates. It comes in a variety of colours from snowy white to a deep burgundy. This plant is celebrated in many festive stories and songs, which accounts for its name and ties to the holiday season.

A lovely ornamental perennial, the winter aconite is another early bloom that will be among the first signs of life in your garden. It can bloom as early as January, and its bright yellow cup-like flower is sure to catch the eye among the snow.

Known as Heath or Heather plant, this attractive plant produces a smattering of bright purple, white and pink flowers in the late winter and early spring. They bring a rare spark of life to a winter garden with their long blooming period, and they’re relatively low-maintenance, making them a great selection for new gardeners.

Christmas or Yuletide Camellia flowers come in red, white and pink and are a staple around the holidays. They bloom in the late fall or early winter, though they cannot handle the harshest chill of winter.