Designing for All-Season Color with Shrubs and Perennials

Designing for All-Season Color with Shrubs and Perennials

Gardens shift with the seasons, so achieving continuous color from spring to fall takes planning. Think of it as a chance to explore new plants. These strategies will get you started.

Create Seasonal Focal Points

For each season, design one or two colorful centers of interest anchored by blooming shrubs, which give structure to borders. Distribute plant groupings throughout the garden that remain attractive even out of bloom. Build compositions around long-lasting, reliable perennials like Peonies, Daylilies, and Hostas.

Layer Bulbs and Fill Gaps

Start with spring bulbs, then tuck in Lilies and other summer-blooming bulbs. Some spring perennials go dormant—fill those spaces with summer color. Overplant Daffodils with Daylilies (our Collaboration collection) or plug gaps with annuals. Consider a second season of interest from plants with ornamental fall seed heads, like Blackberry Lilies (Belamcanda).

Maximize Foliage Impact

Foliage delivers color in summer and fall. Include shrubs with variegated or colorful leaves—variegated Pagoda Dogwood Golden Shadows™, wine-purple Physocarpus—and perennials like Heuchera and Hosta. Plan for fall foliage color too: Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa) and other perennials shine in autumn.