Since most of our trees and shrubs lose their leaves in fall and winter, annual flowers have been pulled, and most perennials have been cut down, the landscape during the winter months can look pretty bleak. There are a lot of cloudy days too. Some people actually get depressed this time of year. The above factors can certainly 
contribute to this condition. But, with careful planning, you can do planting for winter color and texture that will certainly spice things up.
Obviously evergreen plants retain their leaves, thus there is the color green. But there are different kinds of evergreens that can add color as well as texture. Evergreen plants can have blue, yellow, and different intensities of green leaves. They also have vastly different leaves and growing habits. Some plants have cones and berries as well. Add a lot of texture to your garden by planting a variety of evergreen types.
Ornamental grasses are terrific plants that can add color and texture to the winter scene. The simple trick is, don’t cut them down in the fall. Many have beautiful seed heads and great dormant color. Whether blowing in the breeze or covered with snow and frost, grasses make a big statement in the winter garden. Some perennials can be treated in the same manner with the same results. Hardy lavender retains its leaves during dormancy. Perennial herbaceous plant stems and dried flowers look great when set off with a blanket of fresh snow or heavy frost.
Now, what about trees and shrubs? There are good plants with dynamic stem color and interesting bark. Some plants with excellent stem color are red and yellow twig shrub dogwood, Itea, Kerria, shrub roses, blue-artic willow, Aronia, and red Japanese maple. There is a multitude of plants with interesting bark. Examples include ‘Winter King’ hawthorn, paperbark maple, sycamore, Heptacodium, river birch, Parrotia, sweetgum, cypress, beech, Zelkova, lacebark pine,Stewartia,and oakleaf hydrangea. Several plants have very interesting branching structure as well. Contorted filbert has corkscrew-like branching. All the weeping trees add an element of gracefulness.
In conclusion, consider plants with interesting twig color, artful branching, exfoliating bark, berries, cones, and dried flowers. A mixture of plants with all these attributes can make for a beautiful and exciting winter garden. Take a stroll through a park or nursery this winter and look for plants that meet these criteria. Don’t forget you pencil and pad, you’ll need to take notes.