Is a garden full of beautiful flowering plants part of your landscaping goals? While you might be tempted to choose flowers based strictly on looks, there’s actually a bit more to it than that. For a landscape that features color from early spring to late fall, the secret is to include plants that bloom at different times throughout the seasons.
The boost of color provided by flowering plants can really elevate your garden. While there are plenty of flowers that bloom in the spring, a thriving garden should have beautiful colors for longer periods. Here are some favorite flowering plants that will give your garden blooms in the spring, summer and fall.
Work with Your Conditions
Before you plant anything, you have to know what type of garden conditions you’re dealing with. Does your yard get lots of sun or is it mostly shade? Is the soil damp or dry and rocky? And what is your plant hardiness zone? The answers to these questions will help determine what type of plants will grow best in your yard.
It’s important to work with the conditions you have to give your flowering plants the best chance at survival. For instance, no matter how much you love sunflowers, they just won’t grow well in a yard with shade. Or, if you want to add the sweet scent of Lily of the Valley to your garden, you’ll have to find a shady spot to grow them.
The Very Early Bloomers
For flower beds that come to life as soon as the snow melts include early spring bloomers such as crocuses and daffodils. Crocuses are one of the first spring perennials to bloom each year. You’ll see their bright purple blooms before the snow is completely gone. Daffodils are also very early risers. Their cheery white and yellow flowers are in full bloom even before the tulips start.
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The Spring Favorites
Nothing says spring like the arrival of tulips. You have to wait a year to enjoy these pretty flowers, though. Tulip bulbs should be planted in the fall after the ground has cooled.
Iris features beautiful flowers in many rich hues ranging from deep purple to yellow, white and even black. Although they bloom in the spring, their tall, broad green leaves make a striking backdrop for the entire season.
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Early Summer Flowering Plants
Plants that flower in the summer are often favorites of butterflies, bees and birds. To attract summer wildlife and get pretty blooms after spring flowers are done, add Echinacea to your garden. Also known as Coneflowers, its lovely pink flowers bloom from early to late summer.
Other popular early summer flowering plants include Creeping Phlox and Bleeding Hearts. Both offer plenty of pretty flowers and are in full bloom early on in the season. Phlox are low to the ground, and as the name suggests, will spread. Bleeding hearts are taller and feature lots of green leaves with delicate pink heart-shaped flowers.
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Mid to Late Summer Flowering Plants
With their long leaves and exotic-looking blooms, lilies make a stunning addition to any garden! They come into bloom in mid-summer, and if you plant a few different varieties, you’ll be able to enjoy their colorful flowers for a few weeks.
Bee Balm makes a great companion for your lilies. Blooming from mid-summer to early fall, the vibrant flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
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Fabulous Fall Colours
Sedum, also known as Autumn Joy, looks a lot like broccoli as it grows over the course of the summer. But in the fall, the green tops turn a beautiful shade of deep pink. Not only do they bring much-needed color to your fall garden, but you’ll also find them buzzing with bees once the tops turn crimson.
For a powerful late-season punch, Asters will provide a final pop of color. Their star-shaped purple flowers add a thick band of color just as the rest of the garden is shutting down for winter. They also offer a final meal to the pollinators with their nectar-filled flowers.
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With a bit of planning, your garden can produce beautiful colors for months on end. You just need the right flowering plants to ensure you have blooms from spring right through until fall.
