If you’re in need of a new plant for your garden, it’s worth considering some perennials and evergreens. These perennials come in a variety of colors, so you’ll have to pick the one that will suit your space best. If you’d like your garden to look like Christmas all year round, consider holly. This plant has sharp, deep green leaves that make it a year-round centerpiece.
Perennials
One of the best aspects of outdoor perennials is that they offer continuous interest without requiring much maintenance. Many stonecrops, for example, are tough and low-maintenance, with foliage that is lime green in summer and orange-red in fall. These plants can persist through winter, too, and you can even find varieties with flowers that bloom throughout the winter. The ‘Autumn Joy’ stonecrop is one such plant.
Another excellent choice for a garden that is not in full sun is the fringed bleeding heart, a hardy perennial that blooms for three months in zones five and six. The foliage is fern-like and the flowers are heart-shaped. Unlike common bleeding hearts, this plant grows smaller, so it can be planted along a property line. Its fragrant blooms are attractive and attract hummingbirds.
Miscanthus is another perennial that will bloom throughout the year. These perennials grow two to three feet tall and require little maintenance. They bloom from June to September in most climates. It’s easy to grow and requires little care, but be sure to deadhead them regularly to encourage more blooms and avoid self-seeding. While these flowers are short-lived, they do require minimal care. These plants can also be moved indoors if they are in a sunny window.
Another good choice for a perennial garden is garden phlox. These beautiful, low-growing groundcovers can be used as a container plant or a hanging basket. Phlox plants are very attractive and low-maintenance. The flowers of garden phlox can be enjoyed by bees. In addition to flowers, these perennials can be used as a beautiful ground cover. A great way to get more plants for your garden is to exchange them with gardening friends.
Salvia is another good option for your flower garden. Salvias need little maintenance and flower for several months. The timing of the blooming period is different for each species, but most varieties are around 2 feet tall. Russian sage is another perennial to consider. It’s deer-resistant and drought-tolerant. In addition, Russian sage doesn’t require deadheading or dividing, which means you can enjoy the benefits of having flowers year-round.
Annuals
One of the easiest ways to keep your garden bright is to plant colorful foliage. Many cordylines are brightly colored year round, and their colorful leaves will liven up the entire space. Cordylines can also produce colorful flowers, too. Here are some other plants to try in your garden. They are all good choices. They make great landscape plants for all seasons. Let your imagination run wild with these choices. Here are some of my favorites.
If you’re not sure what to choose, head to a local park or public garden to find inspiration for your new garden. Take pictures of plants that catch your eye and visit a local garden center. Make sure to include close-up photos of foliage and flowers, as well as a full description of the plant. Trees are the first to flower, followed by bulbs and herbaceous perennials. Cool season annuals are another great choice. Some are perennial and rebloom in spring.
The beauty of dianthus comes in all colors. The slender leaves and flowers bloom in early spring and last well into the summer months. You can also plant the annual dianthus, which is a popular choice for winter gardens. The foliage remains attractive all year long, and the seeds provide a delicious treat for birds. When buying flowers, consider the zone in which you live. Make sure to select the ones that will bloom best in your area.
Cyclamen is another perennial flower you should consider for your yard. This plant is very hardy and can be grown from seeds. The blooms can be enjoyed through the entire growing season, from summer to autumn. These flowers are beautiful and can be cut as they open to add color to your garden. They make great landscaping plants and can also be used as container flowers. If you’re short on space, try planting an oakleaf hydrangea.
Another plant that can thrive in the hot southern regions is the yarrow. This low-growing perennial has colorful foliage with silver, green, and purple veins. It grows to a height of four feet and is a favorite among hummingbirds. Thyme is another great low-maintenance option for containers and beds. They’re known for their mint-scented leaves and lavender-like flowers. Hyssop is another perennial to consider. It requires very little water and can grow into a 12-18-inch-diameter plant.
Evergreens
When selecting outdoor plants, consider the color and shape of your landscape. Many shrubs are evergreen, which means they stay green throughout the entire year. Choose from the many varieties of evergreen bushes and trees that can provide you with color, texture, and privacy. Some varieties are even flowering, providing you with color in certain seasons. Evergreens are ideal for foundation plantings, as they can be planted near the foundation of your home and camouflage it from view.
Cypress, especially Asian varieties, are perfect for gardens and provide shade and beauty to the yard during the summer. The berries produced by this shrub attract songbirds. Its pyramid shape and rich green branchlets make it an attractive plant to display around your yard. It can grow to be over 30 feet tall in some climates. However, it is not suited for full sun because of its tendency to develop scabs and fire blight.
Yuccas are a great choice if you want a plant that will survive the winter. They are hardy, drought-resistant, and add a handsome dash of color to the landscape. Yuccas come in many colors and are easy to find at local nurseries or online. A good way to protect a delicate evergreen shrub is to plant it on the east side of a building or fence.
As with all plants, the benefits of evergreens extend well beyond their beauty in the winter months. They can be used as foundation planting around a home, framing an entrance, or creating privacy in the garden. They are also ideal as ground covers and windbreaks. Several varieties are small enough to grow in pots and can be used alongside other seasonal flowers. And the benefits of evergreens are many.
Blue Ice bog rosemary is an evergreen with silvery-blue foliage and showy cones. It provides rich green color throughout the year, creating a carpet of foliage. The blue berries on the foliage attract butterflies and other wildlife. These plants are also deer-resistant, so they are an excellent choice for a landscape. The best part about growing them is that they’re easy to grow.
Shade-tolerant plants
You can choose from a number of shade-tolerant outdoor plants to brighten up your garden all year round. The American Holly, for example, grows slowly and is a great barrier against weeds and deer. Other shrubs with low light requirements include Leatherleaf Arrowwood, Forsythia, and Mahonia. The hottest growing shade-tolerant shrub is the American Elm, which grows to 15 feet.
Astilbe, or wild ginger, is one of the shade-tolerant perennials that produces small, heart-shaped blooms in late winter and early spring. These plants are not fussy and don’t require much care once established. You can buy as many as 25 seeds for $4.89 on Etsy. Similarly, the foxglove, which is not an annual, blooms late in spring or summer in its second year. It’s a perfect choice for border plantings and pond edges.
Another shade-tolerant perennial is the Ligularia. This plant is sometimes called the leopard plant, because it is a good choice for gardens without deer. Ligularia features striking red leaves and yellow daisy-like blooms. Some varieties have deep-colored veins and are great for a cottage garden. You can grow it from bulbs or from a nursery. It has a wide range of colors and is very low-maintenance. It can be grown indoors or out in a pot during the winter.
Hosta is another shade-tolerant plant to consider. They grow to enormous size and make an excellent container plant. The variety of foliage makes hostas easy to blend with other plants. Various smaller varieties of hostas are excellent for border plantings, or for filling the space under a tree’s base. Lungwort is another shade-tolerant perennial with bright spring flowers. The leaves of this plant discourage weeds, and it will provide your garden with a great backdrop for outdoor events.
Another shade-tolerant plant is the ligularia, sometimes known as the leopard plant. It boasts a broad leaf structure and features stunning yellow-orange flowers. Ligularia prefers partial shade, but it will grow happily in full sun, too. It needs soil that drains well. Alternatively, you can opt for lilies in miniature sizes. If you don’t mind a slightly darker flower, you can grow mini versions of these plants instead.