Melinda’s Garden Moment: Plan and Plant for Seasonal Interest in the Garden

Celebrate the change of seasons with changing colors and textures in the garden. Start out the year with early bloomers like grape hyacinths. Mix with grasses and daffodils for added interest. Include a variety of spring blooming perennials like hellebores that have multiple seasons of interest with evergreen leaves and interesting blooms. Or those with multiple benefits such as spring blooming lungwort with attractive flowers, interesting foliage and hummingbird appeal. Include some summer blooming alliums for a bold accent. Add a bit of contrast with the vertical spikes of salvia and tie it all together with sedges Transition into fall with the North American natives like coneflowers and Helenium that bloom from late summer through frost. Include ornamental grasses that provide year round texture with their fine foliage and persistent seedheads. And leave a few seedheads for fall and winter interest.