Winter Evergreens for Structure, Color & Seasonal Interest
- Jonna Semke
- Nov 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 2
Part 2 of the Lakamas Winter Design Series
Winter Evergreens for Structure, Color & Seasonal Interest
Winter gardens in the Pacific Northwest are defined by structure, contrast, and subtle shifts in texture. Evergreens are the backbone, offering depth and continuity during the quiet months. In a season where deciduous plants take a rest, evergreens keep the garden looking intentional, layered, and alive.
This post focuses on evergreen shrubs and groundcovers—both native and ornamental—that bring form, fragrance, foliage color, and habitat value to winter landscapes in the Seattle greater Puget Sound region.
Why Evergreens Matter in Winter Design
Evergreens anchor the garden year-round, but in winter they become the stars because they:
Provide strong architectural structure when leaves have fallen
Offer color and texture
Support overwintering pollinators and shelter for birds
Transition beautifully into spring without feeling stagnant
Most importantly for landscape design is that when combined with deciduous shrubs, ornamental grasses, and winter-blooming plants, evergreens create a four-season design that feels balanced and richly layered.
Evergreen Trees for Winter Interest
Arbutus ‘Marina’
Height/Spread: 20–40 ft tall, 15–25 ft wide
Winter Features: Peeling cinnamon bark, glossy evergreen foliage, and winter flowering
Light: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained; dislikes overwatering
Design Uses: Four-season focal tree; a refined, more adaptable alternative to Pacific madrone
Magnolia grandiflora ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’
Height/Spread: 20–30 ft tall, 12–15 ft wide
Winter Features: Dense evergreen canopy, rich copper-backed leaves that glow in winter light
Light: Full sun to part sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
Design Uses: A refined evergreen tree with year-round presence—smaller and more cold-hardy than standard Southern magnolia, ideal for urban or courtyard gardens
Sciadopitys verticillata (Japanese Umbrella Pine)
Height/Spread: 20–30 ft tall, 10–15 ft wide
Winter Features: Unique whorled needles that hold structure and deep glossy color in winter
Light: Full sun to part sun
Soil: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic; slow growing
Design Uses: A sculptural, standout specimen—reads as a quiet but powerful focal point and pairs beautifully with Japanese maples and winter shadow play
Evergreen Shrubs for Winter Interest
Arthur Menzies Mahonia (Mahonia × media ‘Arthur Menzies’)
A bold, large-scale evergreen shrub perfect for dramatic winter structure.
Height/Spread: 10–12 ft tall, 6–8 ft wide
Winter Features: Bright yellow fragrant plumes in December–January
Cultural Notes: Part to full shade; rich, well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established
Design Notes: Excellent focal point in woodland gardens; architectural form contrasts beautifully with ferns and hellebores.
Wildlife Value: The Anna's hummingbirds love this plant in the winter, as it provides important food source during this time of scarcity.
Sarcococca (Sweet Box)
Sarcococca humilis
Height/Spread: ~1–2 ft tall, slowly spreading
Winter Features: Tiny but intensely fragrant white flowers in January–February
Cultural Notes: Shade-loving; very tolerant of dry shade once established
Design Notes: Ideal for paths, entries, and anywhere fragrance can be appreciated.
Sarcococca ruscifolia / confusa
Height/Spread: 3–5 ft tall, rounded form
Winter Features: Fragrant white flowers followed by red-to-black berries
Cultural Notes: Deep to partial shade; adaptable; low maintenance
Design Notes: More upright than S. humilis; excellent for layered winter structure.
Camellia (Fall & Winter Blooming Shrubs)
Fall- and early-winter-blooming camellias add life and color when little else is flowering—and they provide nectar for Anna’s hummingbirds all winter long.
Excellent winter-interest choices:
Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Shishi Gashira’
Camellia sasanqua ‘Apple Blossom’
Height/Spread: 4–10 ft depending on cultivar
Cultural Notes: Prefers morning sun and afternoon shade; rich, acidic, well-drained soil
Design Notes: Evergreen foliage, long bloom season, excellent natural form.
Evergreen Groundcovers for Winter Form & Texture
Asarum caudatum (Wild Ginger) — Native
Height/Spread: 6–8 inches; slowly spreading
Winter Features: Glossy evergreen leaves in mild PNW winters
Cultural Notes: Moist shade; woodland perfection
Design Notes: A soft, naturalistic groundcover that pairs beautifully with ferns, hellebores, and Mahonia nervosa.
Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ (Black Mondo Grass)
Height/Spread: 6–8 inches; clump-forming
Winter Features: Reliable deep purple-black foliage
Cultural Notes: Sun to shade; adaptable; slow spreader
Design Notes: Provides strong color contrast in winter; excellent edging or massing plant.
Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’
Height/Spread: 10–12 inches
Winter Features: Arching cream-and-green variegated blades
Cultural Notes: Shade to part sun; well-drained soil
Design Notes: Bright, clean color all winter; softens hard edges.
Gaultheria procumbens (Wintergreen)
Height/Spread: 6 inches
Winter Features: Shiny evergreen leaves with red berries
Cultural Notes: Part shade; acidic soil
Design Notes: Woodland groundcover with a polished look.
Paxistima myrsinites (Mountain Lover) — Native
Height/Spread: 1–2 ft tall, low-moundingWinter
Features: Dense, fine-textured evergreen
Part shade to shade
Soil: Well-drained, drought-tolerant once
Uses: Excellent native alternative for low evergreen structure
Putting It All Together
Evergreens form the winter framework—your bones and structure. Layering them thoughtfully ensures your garden looks alive, intentional, and welcoming even on the darkest days of the year. Combine structural shrubs, textural groundcovers, fragrance, and winter flowers to create a four-season landscape that reflects the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Where to See Exceptional Winter Evergreens
See the Resources Page for more information
Seattle Japanese Garden
A masterclass in winter structure—strong forms, evergreen bones, moss, stones, and subtle texture.
Washington Park Arboretum – Witt Winter Garden
One of the best winter gardens in the Pacific Northwest. Includes glowing red- and yellow-twig dogwoods, witch hazel, evergreen pairings, and fragrance.
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Wonderful textural combinations and layered winter interest.
Kubota Garden (Seattle)
Evergreen structure, flowing forms, and year-round color through foliage.
Skagit County Master Gardener Discovery Garden (Mt. Vernon)
Great examples of regionally appropriate evergreens and winter combinations.
Washington Native Plant Society Gardens (regional)
Native-focused plantings showing winter structure, evergreen understories, and habitat value.
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