Gardening Guides
Paint the Southwest Winter Garden in Color
Spice up your cool-season landscape with these 8 plants
Some of your plants may have settled in for a long winter’s nap with the arrival of cold weather, but a number of flowering shrubs wait until winter to begin flowering. In addition to winter-blooming plants, there are cactuses and succulents that paint landscapes with winter color in California, Texas and the rest of the Southwest. Keep an eye out for these eight favorites, which you’ll want to add to your garden for a vibrant winter season.
Not in the Southwest or California? Browse our Great Design Plants
Not in the Southwest or California? Browse our Great Design Plants
Golden barrel cactus and ‘Valentine’ bush add welcome color to a Southwest garden in winter. All the following plants are drought-tolerant and require well-drained soil.
1. Valentine Bush
(Eremophila maculata ‘Valentine’)
Native to Australia
Small buds begin to appear along the branches of this lovely evergreen shrub in the midst of winter, opening to reveal red to dark pink tubular flowers. The flowering season peaks in February, hence the name. Blooms continue to appear through early spring, providing a bright spot of color in winter landscapes.
The small leaves are a dusty dark green, which can take on a maroon shade when temperatures dip. When not in flower, the bush adds an attractive backdrop to summer-flowering plants. Prune back to 1½ feet tall and wide in late spring after flowering has finished. No other pruning is needed.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 8; find your zone)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 4 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide
See how to grow Valentine bush
(Eremophila maculata ‘Valentine’)
Native to Australia
Small buds begin to appear along the branches of this lovely evergreen shrub in the midst of winter, opening to reveal red to dark pink tubular flowers. The flowering season peaks in February, hence the name. Blooms continue to appear through early spring, providing a bright spot of color in winter landscapes.
The small leaves are a dusty dark green, which can take on a maroon shade when temperatures dip. When not in flower, the bush adds an attractive backdrop to summer-flowering plants. Prune back to 1½ feet tall and wide in late spring after flowering has finished. No other pruning is needed.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 8; find your zone)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 4 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide
See how to grow Valentine bush
2. Upright Myrtle Spurge
(Euphorbia rigida)
Native to the Mediterranean
This succulent ground cover adds color and texture to the drought-tolerant garden. Pointed blue-gray leaves are arranged along the fleshy stems of upright myrtle spurge, adding spiky texture to the garden.
Chartreuse flowers transform this Mediterranean native in winter and last into spring. Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, it can be planted in areas where many cold-tender succulents can’t grow. Prune off the flowering stems to the base in late spring. Be careful to protect your skin and eyes from the milky sap, which is toxic.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (Zone 7)
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide
See how to grow spurge
(Euphorbia rigida)
Native to the Mediterranean
This succulent ground cover adds color and texture to the drought-tolerant garden. Pointed blue-gray leaves are arranged along the fleshy stems of upright myrtle spurge, adding spiky texture to the garden.
Chartreuse flowers transform this Mediterranean native in winter and last into spring. Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, it can be planted in areas where many cold-tender succulents can’t grow. Prune off the flowering stems to the base in late spring. Be careful to protect your skin and eyes from the milky sap, which is toxic.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (Zone 7)
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide
See how to grow spurge
3. Beloperone
(Justicia californica)
Native to the Sonoran Desert regions of Arizona, California and Mexico
Hummingbirds eagerly await the orange-red blossoms of this desert native, as it is a welcome source of nectar during winter, when few plants bloom. The tubular flowers are also appreciated by homeowners, who look forward to the bright spot of color that alleviates the tans and browns of the cool-season landscape. The level of flowering peaks in spring but can continue throughout the year.
Heart-shaped leaves grow along gray stems and may be absent during times of drought. Beloperone’s natural, sprawling growth habit looks best in informal garden settings. Prune back in spring as needed to control its size.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 3 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide
See how to grow beloperone
(Justicia californica)
Native to the Sonoran Desert regions of Arizona, California and Mexico
Hummingbirds eagerly await the orange-red blossoms of this desert native, as it is a welcome source of nectar during winter, when few plants bloom. The tubular flowers are also appreciated by homeowners, who look forward to the bright spot of color that alleviates the tans and browns of the cool-season landscape. The level of flowering peaks in spring but can continue throughout the year.
Heart-shaped leaves grow along gray stems and may be absent during times of drought. Beloperone’s natural, sprawling growth habit looks best in informal garden settings. Prune back in spring as needed to control its size.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Light requirement: Full sun to filtered shade
Mature size: 3 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide
See how to grow beloperone
4. Santa Rita Prickly Pear
(Opuntia violacea santa-rita)
Native to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and south through Chihuahua, Mexico
While prickly pear is often seen in arid gardens, the color of this species elevates it above the rest. Its blue-gray pads are tinged with shades of purple. The intensity of the purple coloring is intensified in winter in response to cold temperatures or during times of extreme drought.
Like most prickly pears, the pads are covered in tiny hairs, called glochids, which are very irritating if they get stuck to your skin and will ruin your gardening gloves. Use tongs or several layers of newspaper to handle.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 2 to 5 feet tall and wide
See how to grow Santa Rita prickly pear
(Opuntia violacea santa-rita)
Native to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and south through Chihuahua, Mexico
While prickly pear is often seen in arid gardens, the color of this species elevates it above the rest. Its blue-gray pads are tinged with shades of purple. The intensity of the purple coloring is intensified in winter in response to cold temperatures or during times of extreme drought.
Like most prickly pears, the pads are covered in tiny hairs, called glochids, which are very irritating if they get stuck to your skin and will ruin your gardening gloves. Use tongs or several layers of newspaper to handle.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 2 to 5 feet tall and wide
See how to grow Santa Rita prickly pear
5. Brittlebush
(Encelia farinosa)
Native to the southwestern United States into northern Mexico
In winter, brittlebush colors the landscape in wide swaths of yellow that last into spring. The yellow daisies brighten up cold winter days and stand in stark contrast to the gray foliage. This desert native owes its common name to the fact that its branches break off easily. The gray color of the leaves comes from tiny white hairs that cover the surface.
It’s hard to find a plant that thrives on neglect as well as brittlebush does. After planting, provide supplemental irrigation for one year and then disconnect from irrigation, as it does better without water once established. In June, prune back to 1 foot tall and wide.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide
See how to grow brittlebush
(Encelia farinosa)
Native to the southwestern United States into northern Mexico
In winter, brittlebush colors the landscape in wide swaths of yellow that last into spring. The yellow daisies brighten up cold winter days and stand in stark contrast to the gray foliage. This desert native owes its common name to the fact that its branches break off easily. The gray color of the leaves comes from tiny white hairs that cover the surface.
It’s hard to find a plant that thrives on neglect as well as brittlebush does. After planting, provide supplemental irrigation for one year and then disconnect from irrigation, as it does better without water once established. In June, prune back to 1 foot tall and wide.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide
See how to grow brittlebush
6. ‘Sticks on Fire’ Milk Bush
(Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’)
Native to South Africa
At first glance, it’s obvious why this milk bush variety is called ‘Sticks on Fire’. Green pencil-shaped stems turn bright orange at the tips. The color intensifies during winter, when sources of color in the landscape are few.
Unlike the regular variety of milk bush, which is green, the orange color of ‘Sticks on Fire’ comes from a lack of chlorophyll in its stems. It is fairly cold-tender and can be grown outdoors in Zone 9 gardens when protected from freezing temperatures. It makes a great container plant, which allows it to be grown in colder climates and brought indoors in winter. As with other euphorbia species, use caution when pruning or handling since the white sap is toxic and irritating to skin and eyes.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (without protection), or minus 1.1 degrees Celsius (Zone 10)
Light requirement: Full sun (best for deep orange color) to filtered shade
Mature size: 4 to 12 feet tall and wide
See how to grow milk bush
(Euphorbia tirucalli ‘Sticks on Fire’)
Native to South Africa
At first glance, it’s obvious why this milk bush variety is called ‘Sticks on Fire’. Green pencil-shaped stems turn bright orange at the tips. The color intensifies during winter, when sources of color in the landscape are few.
Unlike the regular variety of milk bush, which is green, the orange color of ‘Sticks on Fire’ comes from a lack of chlorophyll in its stems. It is fairly cold-tender and can be grown outdoors in Zone 9 gardens when protected from freezing temperatures. It makes a great container plant, which allows it to be grown in colder climates and brought indoors in winter. As with other euphorbia species, use caution when pruning or handling since the white sap is toxic and irritating to skin and eyes.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (without protection), or minus 1.1 degrees Celsius (Zone 10)
Light requirement: Full sun (best for deep orange color) to filtered shade
Mature size: 4 to 12 feet tall and wide
See how to grow milk bush
7. Lilac Vine
(Hardenbergia violacea)
Native to Australia
Vines are indispensable when it comes to adding vertical interest to walls and other upright structures. Lilac vine, also called coral-pea, kicks this up a notch by producing sprays of purple flowers in the middle of winter. Shades of purple alongside bright green leaves provide a refreshing break from winter doldrums. Flowering lasts four to six weeks, and the bright green foliage adds a nice green backdrop the rest of the year.
Despite its common name, the flowers aren’t fragrant, the way lilacs are. This vine isn’t overly vigorous or invasive, which can be a problem with other types of flowering vines.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Light requirement: Full sun to light shade
Mature size: 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide
See how to grow lilac vine
(Hardenbergia violacea)
Native to Australia
Vines are indispensable when it comes to adding vertical interest to walls and other upright structures. Lilac vine, also called coral-pea, kicks this up a notch by producing sprays of purple flowers in the middle of winter. Shades of purple alongside bright green leaves provide a refreshing break from winter doldrums. Flowering lasts four to six weeks, and the bright green foliage adds a nice green backdrop the rest of the year.
Despite its common name, the flowers aren’t fragrant, the way lilacs are. This vine isn’t overly vigorous or invasive, which can be a problem with other types of flowering vines.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 degrees Celsius (Zone 9)
Light requirement: Full sun to light shade
Mature size: 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide
See how to grow lilac vine
8. Golden Barrel Cactus
(Echinocactus grusonii)
Native to central Mexico, growing along rocky slopes at 4,000 feet
This Mexican native adds an unusual shape to the landscape. It offers creamy-yellow color with green undertones. Curved yellow spines cover the green surface of the cactus, adding color to the landscape all year long. Young specimens are more yellow than green, but as they grow, the green becomes more visible along the sides.
Golden barrel cactuses are almost nonexistent in the wild and are grown from seed in cultivation. They make great container plants and can be overwintered indoors in colder climates.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun to light shade
Mature size: 1 foot to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide
See how to grow golden barrel cactus
More
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(Echinocactus grusonii)
Native to central Mexico, growing along rocky slopes at 4,000 feet
This Mexican native adds an unusual shape to the landscape. It offers creamy-yellow color with green undertones. Curved yellow spines cover the green surface of the cactus, adding color to the landscape all year long. Young specimens are more yellow than green, but as they grow, the green becomes more visible along the sides.
Golden barrel cactuses are almost nonexistent in the wild and are grown from seed in cultivation. They make great container plants and can be overwintered indoors in colder climates.
Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (Zone 8)
Light requirement: Full sun to light shade
Mature size: 1 foot to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide
See how to grow golden barrel cactus
More
10 Cold-Hardy Succulents for Cool-Season Interest
Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden, Even if It’s Snowing