Design a dynamic, multi-season garden with a mix of colorful foliage and seasonal flowers. By combining textures, heights, and colors, you can achieve a year-round garden that shines even on gray days.
Plants to Include in Your Year-Round Garden
The plants in this garden offer a diverse range of textures, forms, and colors. Use a combination of perennials, shrubs, and evergreens to maintain interest throughout the year.
- Japanese Forestgrass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’): Zones 5-9, vibrant yellow-green foliage.
- Winter Daphne (Daphne odora): Zones 7-9, fragrant pink flowers in winter.
- Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa): Zones 4-9, large, showy spring blooms.
- Brown-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba): Zones 3-10, bright yellow flowers from summer to fall.
- Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata ‘Sundance’): Zones 7-9, golden foliage with white blossoms.
- Angelwing Begonia (Begonia coccinea): Zones 9-11, vivid red flowers in summer and fall.
- Rhododendron spp.: Zones 5-11, evergreen shrub with spring blooms.
- Winter Heather (Erica carnea): Zones 5-8, small pink flowers in winter.
- Foetid Iris (Iris foetidissima): Zones 6-9, sword-like leaves and seed pods in winter.
- Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida): Zones 5-9, delicate late summer blooms.
Steps to Plant Your Year-Round Garden
- Plan the Layout: Arrange plants with varying heights and textures. Place evergreens as a backdrop and layer perennials and shrubs in front for year-round interest.
- Plant in Part Shade: This garden thrives in part shade where the bright foliage and colorful flowers can shine without too much direct sunlight.
- Water and Mulch: Water regularly during the first growing season and apply mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
Design Tips for a Year-Round Garden
- Incorporate evergreen shrubs and trees to ensure your garden remains colorful even in winter.
- Use plants with multi-hued foliage to create contrast throughout the year.
- Consider long-blooming perennials to extend the flowering season.
Gifting Your Garden Plan
Want to share the excitement? Package a selection of seeds or small plants and share your year-round garden plan with others.
Year-Round Garden Layout Diagram
This diagram below shows the ideal placement for each plant mentioned in the year-round garden plan. The table includes recommended spacing and neighboring plants.
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Plant Number | Plant Name | Placement in Garden | Space Allocation | Neighboring Plants |
---|---|---|---|---|
#1 | Japanese Forestgrass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) | Front border, near walkways | 18-24 inches apart | Winter Daphne, Angelwing Begonia |
#2 | Winter Daphne (Daphne odora) | Middle of the garden, part shade | 4-6 feet apart | Japanese Forestgrass, Rhododendron |
#3 | Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) | Center focal point, sheltered area | 3-4 feet apart | Mexican Orange Blossom, Brown-Eyed Susan |
#4 | Brown-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) | Mid-border, full sun | 18-24 inches apart | Tree Peony, Japanese Anemone |
#5 | Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata ‘Sundance’) | Back border, full sun | 3-4 feet apart | Tree Peony, Japanese Anemone |
#6 | Angelwing Begonia (Begonia coccinea) | Front corner, full sun to partial shade | 12-18 inches apart | Japanese Forestgrass, Winter Heather |
#7 | Rhododendron spp. | Back of the garden, part shade | 3-5 feet apart | Winter Daphne, Foetid Iris |
#8 | Winter Heather (Erica carnea) | Front border, ground cover | 12-18 inches apart | Angelwing Begonia, Brown-Eyed Susan |
#9 | Foetid Iris (Iris foetidissima) | Mid-border, part shade | 18-24 inches apart | Rhododendron, Japanese Anemone |
#10 | Japanese Anemone (Anemone x hybrida) | Middle to back border, full sun | 2-3 feet apart | Brown-Eyed Susan, Foetid Iris |
Year-Round Blooming Garden Layout
Scale: Approximately 20 feet wide by 8 feet deep
Legend:
- Japanese Forestgrass
- Winter Daphne
- Tree Peony
- Brown-Eyed Susan
- Mexican Orange Blossom
- Angelwing Begonia
- Rhododendron
- Winter Heather
- Foetid Iris
- Japanese Anemone
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