Silver Birch

All that pure white bark of a birch tree is gorgeous in ANY season, but it tends to outshine all the others in the winter months when it will brighten up your garden at the dullest period of the year.

But what’s even better about these trees is that they’re practically bulletproof, according to a nursery manager at Form Plants. He suggests the multi-stemmed version, like the Betula utilis jacquemontii, otherwise known as the “Snow Queen.”

This low-maintenance landscaping option will grow best in the sun or semi-shade and in most kinds of well-drained soil. Once established in the ground, these trees need minimal care and will withstand any harsh winters that may come your way.

They grow in hardiness zones 2-7 in our country and heat zones 1-7. If you have a small garden, try the single-stem type but always double-check its maximum height and spread before you buy it to ensure that it won’t grow too large for your yard.