Planting for Year-Round Colour
A garden that looks beautiful in July is not difficult to achieve. A garden that looks interesting in every month of the year requires more thought — but the rewards are immense.
The Framework: Structure First
Year-round interest begins with structure. Evergreen shrubs, topiary, ornamental grasses and trees with attractive bark or form provide the backbone of the garden when nothing else is in flower. Consider the shape, texture and colour of foliage as well as flowers — a garden with good foliage will look well-composed even in the depths of winter.
Spring Interest
Spring bulbs are the easiest way to guarantee early colour. Plant in generous drifts rather than small clusters — a hundred tulips makes far more impact than ten. Combine early, mid and late-season varieties to extend the display from February to May. Underplant with forget-me-nots, wallflowers or violas for a layered effect. Early-flowering shrubs such as forsythia, magnolia, camellia and flowering cherry add height and drama.
Summer Abundance
Summer is the easiest season to fill with colour. Roses, hardy geraniums, salvias, alliums, phlox, echinacea and many others provide months of interest. The key is to choose plants with long flowering seasons and to deadhead regularly. Annuals — cosmos, zinnias, sweet peas, nasturtiums — fill gaps quickly and cheaply and can be sown directly into the ground from April.
Autumn and Winter
Autumn colour comes from deciduous trees and shrubs (acers, amelanchier, euonymus), late-flowering perennials (asters, sedums, rudbeckias) and ornamental grasses. Leave seedheads and stems standing through winter — they provide food for birds and look beautiful frosted. Winter-flowering plants — hellebores, mahonia, sarcococca, winter jasmine and witch hazel — are worth their weight in gold.