Plants that Regrow After Freezing

As the temperatures get colder and the days get darker, our beautiful gardens start to die back and leave our homes with a lack of vibrancy. While most plants don’t survive the harsh winter months, several plants regrow after freezing temperatures have killed what seems to be any trace of life.

Cold weather is unavoidable is many regions throughout the world, but hardiness is an adaptation that tons of plants have achieved. When the hard freeze of winter rolls in, count on perennial plants to come back with more life than the previous growing season.

If you have plants that are suffering from frost damage, your first instinct may be to cut them back, but there are other ways to help your plants return to a healthy state. First, prune any dead areas as long as the underside of the plant remains unaffected.

Plants that Survive the Winter

Move the plants indoors for 48 hours, if possible. Give them water and transfer them back outside once the danger of frost passes. If those aren’t options, some tough plants are likely to survive on their own.

Although there are specific evergreen plants that survive throughout the winter, a vast majority of flowering plants are sensitive to frost damage and late winter temperatures.

Cold weather is a gardener’s enemy; that’s why perennials are a necessity for every garden. The best plants that regrow after freezing have late-blooming periods and built-in frost protection.

Perennials die back in cold weather and sprout once more in the early spring year after year. Some perennials are more tolerant of severe weather, making them the perfect addition to your garden if you live in a region of the country with cold winters.

If you live in a warmer climate, like in hardiness zones 8-11, you probably have a list of winter flowers that continue blooming in all seasons. Individuals in the rest of the country must rely on those flowers that bloom well into the fall and others that are early spring bloomers.

Gardener’s Favorite Plants that Regrow after Freezing: Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia)

Coneflowers are notorious for being robust, native flowers. They have a big, brown center with colorful petals that point down, giving them their infamous cone shape. They grow up to four feet high and have dark green foliage.

They bloom in midsummer but are also fall blooming perennial flowers that last throughout autumn frosts. Coneflowers can handle the heat and the cold and look especially striking when grown in masses. Place them in well-drained soil with full sun.

Add compost to the ground for added health benefits, although they tolerate poor soil conditions as well. Don’t cut them back because they self-seed and come back every spring, regardless of the harsh weather conditions.

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)

Lily of the valley is extremely fragrant. Their white, bell-shaped blossoms hang from green stems and thrive in northern regions that are more prone to frost. Because lily of the valley blooms so early in the spring, they can tolerate small amounts of frost damage.

Lily of the valley prefers moist soil and partial shade. They are incredibly adaptable, which makes them easy to care for. Planting them in the late fall allows the plants to go through a necessary dormancy period that helps them come back stronger than ever.

Wintergreen Boxwood (Buxus microphylla)

Boxwood is one of the best bushes for winter color and a shrub that homeowners love. These evergreen shrubs have dense, dark green foliage that withstands even the harshest climate conditions. They are especially useful for hedging or as focal points in garden beds.

Plant boxwoods in full to part sun and well-drained soil; however, their needs are exceptionally adaptable. Water them deeply until about two years after they are established. Setting them in a location that protects them from winter winds helps prevent the leaves from bronzing.

Catmint (Nepeta Cataria) – Low Maintenance and Hardy

Catmint plants are herbs to plant for winter and fall, as well as the rest of the year, that fills your yard with aromatics and subtle pops of color from its lavender-blue flowers and grayish foliage. They are stunning in mass plantings or edgings and work as an insect repellent.

Grow catmint in partial shade to full sun and in well-draining soil. These are overly aggressive growers and extremely hardy. Give them plenty of space when planting – at least a foot apart.

Plant catmint in the early spring and regularly water them. Place two inches of mulch around the roots protect them from frost. Prune and remove dead leaves as needed.

Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguine)

Coral bells are hardy plants that are also frost and deer resistant shrubs. They are considered evergreens in many climates. The foliage colors range from bronze to purple. Tall spikes grow out of the center and have bell-shaped blooms. They grow in naturally wooded areas and prefer conditions that imitate it with filtered sun.

Once coral bells are fully established, they are hard to kill. They require only occasional watering and to deadhead the spent blooms to improve the overall appearance. Cut back old growth in the early spring.

Primrose (Primula vulgaris)

Primrose blooms in the very early spring and is used to light frost. If given the proper conditions, they multiply each year and bloom throughout the entire summer. Their colors include white, yellow, orange, pink, cream, red, and blue.

Primrose prefers damp soil with lots of organic matter around the roots to protect them from frost. Plant them in a lightly shaded area and water them immediately after planting. Apply small amounts of fertilizer throughout the blooming season and prune dead leaves.

The Hardest Plants to Kill: Hostas (Hosta lancifolia)

Hostas are one of the hardiest plants you’ll ever get your hands on. Do you know how succulents withstand extreme heat? Hostas withstand almost all extreme conditions.

Regardless of dry or wet soil or hot or cold temperatures, these hardy plants are nearly impossible to kill permanently. They live an extremely long time, possibly even longer than you, and come in numerous sizes, shapes, heights, and colors.

Although hostas survive a lot of conditions, they prefer moist soil. Planting them in full shade to part sun is safe. Place an inch of mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture and remove the tall flower stalks to promote growth. Remove brown leaves in the fall to control diseases and pests.

Although there are various perennials to choose from, some are simply more equipped the handle the frost from early spring and late fall. The hardiest plants have adapted to the colder conditions and are far more likely to survive frost damage than others.

Incorporating these plants that regrow after freezing around your home and in flower beds gives your garden the best chance to survive seasonal changes.

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