Imagine stepping outside and seeing a beautiful, thriving garden—no matter the season. While many plants bloom for just a short time, there are standout varieties that deliver beauty in spring, summer, fall, and even winter. These plants offer more than fleeting blooms—they bring structure, color, and charm all year long.
Choosing the right landscaping plants can transform your yard into a picturesque escape that never loses its luster. But finding ones that provide lasting appeal in every season can be challenging. Luckily, there are plenty of hardy, low-maintenance options that look just as good in December as they do in June.
In this article, we’ll explore 20+ of the best landscaping plants that maintain their beauty year-round. Whether you need privacy, pop-of-color, or structure, these plants offer reliable and stunning results in all four seasons.
Why Choose Year-Round Landscaping Plants?
Landscaping with year-round plants means you’ll never have to deal with a garden that looks dull or lifeless in the off-season. These plants maintain their foliage, texture, or even blooms throughout the year, ensuring constant visual interest and curb appeal. Whether you’re sprucing up your front yard or backyard, all-season plants add lasting value.
They’re also lower maintenance. Seasonal plants often require replanting, pruning, and extra attention throughout the year. On the other hand, perennials, evergreens, and hardy shrubs that thrive year-round save you time and money. Once established, they’ll continue to perform with minimal effort.
Year-round landscaping plants can also serve practical purposes. Many are great for hedging, privacy screens, erosion control, or even supporting local wildlife. With a thoughtful combination of plants, your landscape can be as functional as it is beautiful.
20+ Best Landscaping Plants That Look Good Year Round
1. Boxwood (Buxus)
Boxwoods are classic evergreen shrubs known for their dense, compact growth and small, glossy green leaves. They retain their shape beautifully and stay vibrant even in the dead of winter. Because they’re slow-growing and easy to maintain, they’re a favorite for formal landscapes and hedges.
These shrubs shine year-round. In spring and summer, they’re lush and full; in winter, they maintain their color and structure, offering a tidy, manicured look when most other plants have faded. Some varieties even take on bronze tones in cold weather, adding seasonal interest.
Boxwoods thrive in well-drained soil and grow well in full sun to partial shade. Whether used as foundation plantings, topiaries, or borders, they bring timeless elegance to any landscape with minimal upkeep.
2. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)
Japanese Maples are prized for their striking foliage that changes dramatically through the seasons. In spring and summer, leaves range from bright green to deep burgundy, depending on the variety. Fall delivers fiery hues of red, orange, and gold, while winter reveals the tree’s beautifully structured branches.
Even when the leaves fall, the tree’s sculptural form adds visual appeal. The elegant branches look beautiful when dusted with snow or surrounded by winter mulch. Japanese Maples are particularly effective as focal points in garden beds or near entrances.
These trees prefer partial shade and rich, well-drained soil. While they’re slow-growing, their graceful form and multi-season display make them well worth the wait in any landscape.
3. Lavender
Lavender is more than just a fragrant herb—it’s also a resilient landscape plant that adds beauty year-round. Its silver-green foliage remains evergreen in many climates, while its iconic purple blooms appear in late spring and last through summer.
After flowering, the dried blooms remain visually appealing and can be left on the plant or harvested for use around the home. The soft texture of the foliage pairs beautifully with stone paths, garden edges, or raised beds.
Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s also drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, making it a smart choice for low-maintenance landscapes.
4. Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Coral Bells are known for their bold foliage, which comes in a stunning array of colors including deep purple, lime green, bronze, and even silver. Unlike most perennials that go dormant in winter, Coral Bells keep their leaves through all seasons.
Their flower spikes emerge in late spring or early summer, attracting pollinators and adding vertical interest. But even when not in bloom, the colorful foliage continues to shine in mixed borders, containers, or shaded garden areas.
Coral Bells prefer partial shade and rich, well-drained soil. They’re also excellent for layering with other plants, making them a go-to for designers looking to add color year-round.
5. Holly (Ilex)
Holly brings instant holiday vibes with its glossy green leaves and bright red berries in winter. It’s a versatile evergreen shrub that works beautifully as a hedge, foundation plant, or decorative accent.
Its berries appear in late fall and persist through winter, providing color when little else is in bloom. The foliage stays vibrant and resistant to cold, giving you greenery even in snowy conditions.
Holly grows best in full sun to partial shade and moist, acidic soil. Many varieties are drought-tolerant once established, and they also attract birds—making your landscape both beautiful and wildlife-friendly.
6. Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses like Feather Reed Grass or Blue Fescue add motion, height, and texture to the garden. Their tall blades and feathery plumes remain visually stunning from summer into winter.
Even after they’ve dried out, these grasses maintain structure and color that contrast beautifully with evergreens and snow. They sway in the wind, adding life and movement to your landscape in otherwise still seasons.
Most ornamental grasses prefer full sun and are drought-tolerant. They require minimal maintenance—just a yearly trim in early spring to encourage new growth.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant evergreen herb that doubles as a beautiful landscape plant. With its upright, needle-like leaves, it adds structure and a lush green hue throughout the year.
In spring and early summer, it produces soft blue or lavender flowers that attract pollinators. The plant can be clipped into hedges or left to sprawl, depending on your garden style.
It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, thriving in dry conditions. Rosemary also offers the added benefit of being a culinary staple, making it as functional as it is attractive.
8. Camellia
Camellias are evergreen shrubs with dark green, leathery leaves and striking flowers that bloom in late fall through early spring. Their off-season blooming makes them perfect for year-round gardens.
The flowers—ranging from white and pink to red—add rich color during colder months when few other plants bloom. The dense foliage stays green all year, creating a backdrop for seasonal color.
Camellias thrive in morning sun and slightly acidic, well-drained soil. They’re ideal as foundation plants or specimen shrubs in shaded garden beds.
9. Sedum (Stonecrop)
Sedum is a group of succulents known for their chunky, colorful foliage and vibrant flower heads. They look great year-round and especially shine in late summer and fall with large, clustered blooms.
In winter, the dried flower heads and textured foliage remain attractive and add dimension to dormant beds. They also resist drought and poor soil conditions, making them incredibly easy to maintain.
Most sedums prefer full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. They’re ideal for borders, rock gardens, or even green roofs.
10. Yew (Taxus)
Yew is a classic evergreen shrub or tree with dark green needles and red, berry-like cones. It’s often used in formal landscapes due to its dense, symmetrical growth and ease of shaping.
It maintains its deep green color year-round and can be trimmed into hedges, topiaries, or privacy screens. In winter, its bold form adds contrast against snow and bare branches.
Yews grow best in well-drained soil and tolerate both full sun and deep shade. They’re extremely hardy and long-lived, making them a smart long-term investment.
11. Hellebores (Lenten Rose)
Hellebores are among the earliest bloomers, flowering in late winter or very early spring when most gardens are still asleep. Their evergreen foliage provides groundcover throughout the year.
Their nodding blooms come in soft hues—creams, pinks, purples—and last for weeks. Even when not in bloom, the leathery leaves add texture to shady beds and woodland gardens.
These plants thrive in shade and moist, well-drained soil. They’re ideal for adding color and life to dark corners and wintery landscapes.
12. Juniper
Juniper is a rugged evergreen shrub that comes in a range of forms—from ground-hugging varieties to upright, columnar shapes. It’s known for its blue-green foliage and resilience in tough conditions.
It provides structure and color all year long. Some types produce berries that add seasonal interest, while the aromatic foliage repels pests and deer.
Junipers prefer full sun and dry, sandy soil. They’re excellent for erosion control on slopes or as hardy foundation plantings.
13. Hydrangea (Panicle & Oakleaf Types)
Hydrangeas are beloved for their large blooms and lush foliage. Panicle and Oakleaf types are especially great for year-round appeal due to their long bloom time and bold winter presence.
Even after the flowers dry, they stay on the plant and add rustic charm through fall and winter. Oakleaf hydrangeas also offer beautiful fall foliage in shades of red and bronze.
They thrive in morning sun and rich, moist soil. Their large size makes them great for anchoring beds or filling in shady corners.
14. Ferns (Evergreen Types like Autumn Fern)
Evergreen ferns like the Autumn Fern keep their fronds through winter, adding greenery and texture to otherwise dormant areas. Their copper-colored new growth in spring is a bonus.
They’re perfect for shaded areas, under trees, or near water features. Their soft, feathery look contrasts beautifully with hardscapes or glossy-leaved plants.
Ferns prefer moist, well-drained soil and thrive in shady, humid conditions. Once established, they require very little upkeep.
15. Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo)
Nandina isn’t a true bamboo but shares its upright, layered growth pattern. It’s cherished for its ever-changing foliage that goes from green to red and purple, depending on the season.
In fall and winter, it produces clusters of bright red berries that persist through cold months. The plant’s color transformation gives your landscape a dynamic, painterly quality.
Nandina grows best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, making it a top choice for low-maintenance color.
16. Bergenia
Bergenia features large, glossy leaves that turn shades of red and bronze in winter. In spring, it blooms with clusters of pink or magenta flowers on tall stalks.
Even when not flowering, its bold foliage provides interest in borders and beds. It’s also deer-resistant and tolerant of a wide range of conditions.
Bergenia prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It’s an excellent underplanting or edging plant that delivers year-round impact.
17. Evergreen Azaleas
Unlike deciduous azaleas, evergreen varieties keep their foliage all year and offer a spring show of colorful blooms. Their rounded form and dark green leaves create a clean, refined look.
In warmer climates, some types even bloom again in fall. The evergreen foliage adds structure and density in winter, especially when paired with hardscaping.
They thrive in acidic soil and prefer filtered sunlight. These low-maintenance shrubs are ideal for foundation plantings, woodland gardens, or mixed borders.
18. Skimmia Japonica
Skimmia Japonica is a compact, evergreen shrub that offers year-round interest with its glossy green leaves, fragrant spring flowers, and clusters of red berries in fall and winter. Both male and female plants are needed for berry production, but even without berries, the foliage and blooms are stunning.
In spring, small white or pink star-like flowers burst forth, filling the garden with a sweet aroma. As fall approaches, the berries take center stage, lasting well into winter and adding a festive feel to your landscape. Its foliage stays lush and deep green throughout the year, providing a soft backdrop for other seasonal blooms.
Skimmia thrives in partial to full shade and prefers acidic, well-drained soil. It’s perfect for woodland gardens, shady borders, or containers, and it requires minimal maintenance once established.
19. Daphne Odora
Daphne Odora, or Winter Daphne, is a beautifully scented evergreen shrub known for its highly fragrant blooms in late winter to early spring. Its glossy, dark green leaves remain vibrant year-round, offering excellent structure and contrast in garden beds.
Its clusters of pinkish-purple flowers provide a much-needed splash of color during the dreariest months and draw pollinators even in early spring. The plant also features tidy, mounded growth that adds elegance and charm in both formal and informal gardens.
Daphne prefers part shade and rich, well-drained soil. It can be temperamental about root disturbance, so plant it where it can remain undisturbed for years. The reward is a lush, aromatic addition to your year-round garden.
20. Pieris Japonica (Lily-of-the-Valley Shrub)
Pieris Japonica is a show-stopping evergreen shrub with cascading clusters of bell-shaped white or pink flowers in early spring. Its glossy, dark green foliage provides a year-round backdrop, and new growth emerges in vivid shades of red or bronze before maturing.
The blooms resemble lily-of-the-valley flowers and can last for weeks, often before anything else in your garden has started to bud. In winter, the foliage remains full and rich, while the developing flower buds add structure and anticipation.
Pieris thrives in partial shade and acidic, well-drained soil. It’s an excellent choice for foundation plantings, woodland gardens, or mixed borders where you want long-lasting color and interest.
Designing a Year-Round Landscape
To create a visually balanced yard, use layers—tall plants at the back, mid-height in the middle, and low-growers up front. This ensures that each plant shines, no matter the season. Grouping plants with similar care needs also simplifies maintenance.
Blend evergreen shrubs with perennials that bloom in different seasons. This way, your garden will never have a dull moment. Foliage color, texture, and bark pattern are just as important as flowers for off-season interest.
Use focal points like Japanese Maples or Camellias to draw the eye, and build around them with supporting evergreens and groundcovers. Your yard will feel full, thoughtful, and seasonally engaging.
Maintenance Tips
Even low-maintenance plants need some care. Prune evergreens like boxwood and holly in late winter or early spring to maintain their shape. Deadhead perennials after blooming to encourage healthy growth.
Apply mulch in fall to protect roots and suppress weeds year-round. It also helps keep moisture in during the summer and insulates in the winter.
Check for pests, diseases, and overgrowth regularly. While these plants are tough, keeping an eye on their condition ensures long-term success.
Wrapping Up
With these 20 landscaping plants, your yard doesn’t have to take a seasonal break. From evergreen structure to colorful foliage and off-season blooms, each of these options offers something special all year long.
Whether you’re designing a new landscape or upgrading an old one, incorporating year-round plants will bring consistency, charm, and beauty to your outdoor space. Ready to get started? Pick a few from the list and enjoy a garden that never goes out of style.