Cooler temperatures don’t have to mean the end of color and beauty in your garden. Many ornamental plants not only tolerate the cold but also thrive, adding vibrant hues and textures to your landscape even as the weather cools. Here are ten ornamental plants that flourish in cooler temperatures.
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Pansies

Pansies bring bright color to any garden with their vibrant blooms. These hardy flowers can withstand cooler weather, making them ideal for fall and early spring gardens.
Snapdragons

Snapdragons are cold-tolerant flowers that bloom in rich, bold colors. Their tall, spiky stems add vertical interest to garden beds, and they thrive in mild fall weather.
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Heather

Heather is a low-growing shrub that produces delicate, colorful flowers late in the season. Its evergreen foliage keeps the garden looking lively, even during colder months.
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Wintergreen

Wintergreen is an evergreen ground cover that remains vibrant throughout the year. Its small red berries and glossy leaves add color and texture to winter gardens.
Ornamental Cabbage

With its striking, colorful leaves, ornamental cabbage is a popular choice for fall gardens. It thrives in cooler weather and can survive light frosts, adding visual interest throughout autumn.
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Hellebores

Hellebores are one of the earliest bloomers, often flowering in late winter or early spring. Their cup-shaped flowers are resistant to cold and bring beauty to the garden when most other plants are dormant.
Sedum (Autumn Joy)

Sedum, particularly the ‘Autumn Joy’ variety, provides a burst of color late in the growing season. Its blooms transition from pink to deep red as the weather cools, making it a standout in fall gardens.
Dusty Miller

Dusty Miller is known for its silvery foliage, which adds a soft, cool contrast to fall garden beds. This plant is highly tolerant of cold weather and pairs well with other late-blooming flowers.
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Violas

Violas are smaller cousins of pansies and share the same cold tolerance, blooming cheerfully in cooler temperatures. They make great fillers for garden borders or containers.
Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums, or “mums,” are classic fall flowers known for their vibrant blooms in various colors. They thrive in cooler weather, adding bursts of color to gardens and planters throughout the autumn season.