Standout foliage keeps winter gardens lively

Even in December when few flowers bloom, certain plants can make our landscapes shine with color, texture and structure.

Let’s take a closer look at some standout plants whose leaves provide year-round beauty in the garden.

I’ve found that some of the most dependable winter color comes from the foliage itself. Night Light Chamaecyparis is a compact, false cypress that practically glows with color in the landscape.

The fine, feathery needles of this plant are a striking golden yellow that intensify in full sun, giving your garden a warm, sunny glow even during the coldest months. This evergreen naturally forms a neat, pyramidal shape, making it ideal as a foundation plant, accent or part of a mixed border.

Night Light prefers full sun to part shade and thrives in well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. While it is low-maintenance once established, occasional pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages dense foliage.

Night Light is perfect for gardeners who want bright color without relying on flowers.

For a bold, architectural statement, Color Guard yucca is a showstopper with the structure it adds to a space.

This plant has long, sword-like leaves that are variegated with creamy yellow centers contrasted with dark green margins. The stiff, upright leaves add structure and height to garden beds, making it a natural focal point.

Color Guard is exceptionally drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil, even in poor or sandy conditions. During the growing season, it benefits from a light feeding with a balanced fertilizer and needs little more than occasional watering in prolonged dry periods.

This yucca can handle heat and neglect better than many plants, making it perfect for tough, sunny spots.

Winter gardens can be interesting through their use of texture, and Aztec grass reliably adds light, color and texture.

Aztec grass, known scientifically as Liriope muscari, has narrow, arching leaves that are elegantly striped in creamy white and soft green. These leaves give a subtle glow that brightens dark garden corners.

Aztec grass is a clumping ornamental grass that slowly spreads, creating a low-maintenance border or groundcover effect.

It prefers part shade to full shade and performs best in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Once established, it is easy to care for. To maintain, simply remove any dead or damaged foliage in early spring to keep it looking fresh.

Planted in groups, the soft, flowing texture of Aztec grass contrasts beautifully with more rigid, structural plants like yuccas or evergreens.

These foliage-focused plants prove that your garden doesn’t need flowers to stay colorful and interesting year-round. Their unique textures, striking colors and reliable performance make them valuable in Southern landscapes.