Neighborhood kitties press their wet noses to the frosted window as morning breaks, staring at the dark-eyed juncos as they flitter about in the nearby stand of warty hackberry trees. Needless to say, gardeners would rather be outdoors puttering about with a backyard lawn project.

But now I notice eye-catching plants in the landscape, to brighten my spirits at just such times. I merely need to bundle up for a quick stroll to check out the colors of winter.

‘Tis the season for giving, so let me share four favorite selections that you may want to try in your garden. Not only do these plants express a red and green color scheme for the holidays, but they also bring an abundance of other winter interest and activity to the landscape. All are zoned cold hardy, for this area.

The Christmas fern is found in moist, shaded banks and ravines. This native fern lends a helping frond, preventing erosion in sloped areas near the Potomac River. Lance-shaped leaves provide vibrant green color nestling amidst the tawny-browns of decomposing oak leaves. Each fountain-like clump of fern serves to prevent loose soil from further eroding. Ferns also serve as useful rain garden plants, by cleaning rainfall and assisting with storm-water runoff.

Not to be outdone by a fern, the bear’s foot hellebore showcases clusters of bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers, just in time to celebrate the season. The deeply divided dark foliage of this evergreen perennial is both showy and fragrant, though somewhat musty, when the leaves are bruised. Under favorable growing conditions, this hellebore will likely self-seed. Deer and rabbits avoid this shade-loving plant, because of its scent.

On to the stylish reds. Nandina showcases during the winter season. This broadleaf evergreen is often referred to as heavenly bamboo, because of similar cane and leaf growth. When planted in full sun, upper leaves have the red-gold glow of embers, while shaded leaves remain dark green. The plant’s cinnamon-red berries are a holiday decor favorite. Nandina is both deer resistant and drought tolerant. Stunning when grouped as a limestone outcrop ornamental, nandina can be aggressive in its berry outreach, so opt for a sterile cultivar.

Winterberry is a deciduous holly. Lustrous berries broadcast a red blaze from autumn into February, attracting overwintering birds such as robins and bluebirds. This native shrub is a good choice for wet areas. Berries form on female plants, only when pollinated. Prune winterberry in early spring, to stimulate branching and abundant future fruiting.

It is possible to create a landscape that projects color, even in the coldest of seasons! When you do, you’ll feel like walking in your winter wonderland, even if your nose gets a little chilly.

Kristi Hendricks is a graduate of Shepherd College and West Virginia University and a Master Gardener with the Virginia Cooperative Extension. She can be reached at belowthejames@yahoo.com.