The Unexpected Way 'Emily in Paris' Just Changed Your Winter Garden Goals

Now that the new season of Emily in Paris has dropped, it’s hard not to fall back in love with the real star of the show: Paris itself. Cobblestone streets, iron balconies, perfectly clipped greenery – Paris has a way of looking stylish in every season, including winter. That effortless elegance can translate perfectly into your own garden, and you don’t even need to go through airport security!

With a few specific plant choices and design details, you can create a chic, winter-ready garden that feels straight out of Emily’s Instagram feed, no beret required (but encouraged, of course).

Start With Structure: Evergreens Are Everything

In French garden design, structure always wins. Winter is when the bones of a garden really matter, so evergreens become the foundation of your space. Boxwood, yew, holly, and dwarf conifers provide greenery all year long and clean lines that feel especially Parisian.

You can use these to line pathways or frame doorways. If your space is limited, evergreen shrubs in containers work just as well, and you have the benefit of being able to rearrange your “garden” depending on your mood.

Pro tip: Restraint is key. Rather than using a ton of different plants, simply repeat the same evergreen shapes throughout your garden to create cohesion.

Add Subtle Winter Blooms

A Parisian winter garden is never loud, especially when it comes to color. It whispers. It’s subtle. Hardy winter-blooming plants add just enough softness to hold interest but never overwhelm the aesthetic.

Hellebores are a must. Hellebore flowers come in several soft shades of white, pink, and deep plum. They feel romantic and refined, especially when set against dark green foliage. Walmart sells these live hellebores in packs of 5 or 8.

Camellias are another great choice as they have glossy leaves and bold colored flowers that feel right at home in a Parisian-inspired setting. Winter jasmine adds a yellow touch to brighten up gray days, and cyclamen provides pops of pink, red, and white.

Embrace Topiary (Yes, Really)

When you see a topiary, you’re instantly transported into a Parisian garden or even the Palace of Versailles. Clipped spheres, cones, and spirals bring elegance and drama, something Emily in Paris thrives on.

While that may seem high-maintenance or intimidating, it doesn’t need to be. Start simple with some boxwood balls in containers or a pair of matching shapes on either side of an entryway. Even one sculpted plant can elevate a whole garden or outdoor space and make it feel curated rather than just thrown together. This Boxwood Renaissance from Walmart starts small, and you can easily shape it with a pair of pruning shears. These ones from Amazon are perfect for cutting branches.

Style With Pots, Not Beds

A Parisian garden leans heavily on containers, and winter is really where this approach pays off. Potted plants allow you to do all the work, like layering evergreens and winter-blooming flowers, without disturbing your garden beds.

Stick with classic pieces to keep the French feel, especially in light or neutral tones. Materials like terracotta, stone, or aged metal work wonderfully, and a neutral color allows the plants to take center stage without being overpowered.

Pro tip: Vary the height slightly to keep arrangements relaxed rather than rigid. These tall pots from Amazon are classically French and great with topiaries, while this vintage ceramic flower pot (also available on Amazon) looks straight out of a Parisian antique shop.

If you’re expecting the weather to get particularly cold, move the containers closer to walls or into sheltered corners.

Accessories Matter (But Less Is More)

A Parisian garden obviously needs a few carefully chosen accessories. Simple iron benches, stone planters, lanterns, or even understated statues. These elements add visual interest, which is especially important in winter when you don’t have flowers doing the heavy lifting.

French style is curated and definitely not overcrowded or cluttered. Be intentional when choosing your pieces, as one beautiful lantern or bench can do more than five mismatched decorations. Amazon has tons of French-style iron benches, including this one that's also pretty comfy.

Keep It Effortless

The secret to Parisian anything is that it never looks overdone; not hair, makeup, outfits, houses, or gardens. Allow plants to breathe and resist the urge to overcrowd. Focus on balance rather than abundance.

An Emily in Paris–inspired winter garden isn’t about fighting the season, but embracing it with style. With some evergreen structure, subtle flowers, and thoughtful details, you can embrace the Parisian aesthetic just as much as Emily.