GreenThumb Digest  |  7 December 2025

Bring Life to Winter: Evergreens and Cold-Season Colour

Winter doesn't have to mean grey. Evergreens, coloured stems, and winter flowers can make your garden glow even when everything else sleeps.

By Tony O'Neill  |  Simplify Gardening

Winter doesn't have to mean grey. Evergreens, coloured stems, and winter flowers can make your garden glow even when everything else sleeps. This week's about choosing and caring for the plants that carry your garden through the cold.

Evergreens and Winter Colour

Evergreens add structure, colour, and calm through the bleakest months. Combined with hardy winter flowers, they make the garden feel alive until spring returns.

This week's key tasks:

  • Plant or reposition evergreen shrubs such as box, holly, or hebe.
  • Add winter colour with pansies, violas, and hellebores.
  • Prune damaged or dead branches from evergreen trees.
  • Refresh containers with evergreen foliage and berries for texture.

Pro Tip

Group pots together near your door or patio. The shared warmth protects roots and creates an instant focal point.

Your Gardening Questions Answered

Q: Can I plant new evergreens in December?

A: Yes, if the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged. Mulch around the base after planting to stop roots drying out in cold winds.

Bark Mulch Beneath Evergreens

This Week's Tip

Use bark mulch beneath evergreens. It suppresses weeds, conserves moisture, and highlights the plant's shape and colour.

Free Landscaping eBook

Free Download

If you're planning winter containers or mixed borders, download my free Landscaping eBook. It covers colour balance, plant placement, and design ideas for structure all year round.

You reap what you sow,

Tony O'Neill

Green Thumb Digest  |  Brought to You by Simplify Gardening

Next issue: Winter Is Tough -- Help Wildlife Survive and Thrive

Next Issue: Help Wildlife Survive →