Blue Ice bog rosemary's unique silvery-blue foliage looks good in all seasons, but this evergreen ground cover also delights with a shock of pink bell-shaped blooms in early spring. Perfect for rock gardens and moist soils, it will attract birds and bring interest to the yard all year long. Available at Amazon; $30.
Related: 7 Popular Ground Covers to Enhance Any Yard
flickr.com via Kerry Woods
This dwarf pine variety turns from green to gold when cold weather arrives. In fact, the colder the climate, the more intense its color becomes. Deer-resistant and easy-care, this shrub will look good in every season in Zones 2 through 7. Available at Amazon; $21.95.
Related: 10 Plants Sure to Stop Deer in Their Tracks
Many weeping ornamentals lose their leaves in cold weather—but not the weeping Norway spruce! With its unusual shape and showy cones, this evergreen makes a great accent in the garden and provides rich green in all four seasons. Available at Amazon; $21.95.
Related: 10 of the Best Trees for Any Backyard
flickr.com via F.D. Richards
This evergreen succulent creates a lush and attractive carpet that thrives year-round. Small white flowers attract butterflies in early summer, and the plant's blue-green foliage may take on a reddish hue in colder months. Easy to care for in full sun, this little wonder packs a lot of life in its compact height. Available at Amazon; $5.49 for 1000 seeds.
Related: 11 Creatively Stylish Ways to Display Succulents
For evergreen ground cover in cooler climates, try one of the Siberian carpet cypress varieties. These short and colorful shrubs turn a coppery purple in winter, greening up again when warmer weather arrives in spring. Available at Amazon; $34.99.
Related: The Invincible Yard—12 Ideas for Lazy Landscaping
This ground-hugging variety of dianthus is evergreen and cold hardy in Zones 2 through 8. Its gray-green foliage erupts in summer with red flowers, making it a wonderful filler both in the garden or in pots. Available at Amazon; $16.95.
Related: 10 "Zero Dollar" Garden Hacks
If you’re looking for a distinctive shade of evergreen color, dwarf globe blue spruce delivers. Hardy in Zones 2 through 8, this densely branched little conifer has blue needles that become more brilliant in summer. It makes a wonderful low hedge, but it's even more outstanding when planted in combination with different species. Available at Amazon; $16.95.
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Adapted to Zones 2 through 9, pink pussytoes provides an evergreen mat of tiny silver-gray leaves. In late spring, it spikes deep pink, fuzzy flowers. It’s a slow grower and requires little water once established, so this cold-hardy beauty is a breeze to care for in any season. Available at Amazon; $5.85 for 100 seeds.
Related: 5 (Nearly) Kill-Proof Houseplants
Major curb appeal doesn't have to mean major maintenance. It also doesn't have to be reserved just for warm seasons. With these plants, your yard will look good year-round.
With a pinch of effort and almost no upkeep, you can have the lush, beautiful garden of your dreams. The secret is to choose plant varieties that enjoy a little hardship. We’ve compiled the essential list of hardy flora, with tips for care and maintenance. Go now!
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