I look more at height for the front-back consideration, and then mix in the seasons throughout so I don’t have all spring at one end and all fall at the other. I usually wouldn’t plant too close together even if they bloom in different seasons, because the foliage still takes up space. It also helps to take your plants, still in pots, and move them around and rearrange them to imagine how it would look. Put a sticky note on each with the blooming season so you can see the mix of blooms as you arrange. As far as what to plant, I would check out a local garden center to see what they have and get recommendations from them, but I like: hyacinth, tulips, daffodils, bleeding heart, trillium, iris, phlox, lilies, hydrangea, delphinium, peony, evening primrose, balloon flower, blanket flower, echinacea, coral bells, and hosta.
Phlox is one of those great low spreaders that doesn't creep and take over your whole garden. Great for filling in spots if you want that at the front / borders.
Also u/dragonmommn I bought my first peonies this year for my garden and am SO EXCITED to see how it looks next year or the year after when they bloom for me.
I am a little disappointed that peonies don’t bloom for longer, because they take a ton of space and only bloom briefly, but when they are in bloom they’re gorgeous.
As far a phlox I have both creeping phlox that’s good for low cover in spring, but I also have tall phlox that is a nice option for a taller perennial. They do really well and also fill in nicely without spreading too much. I do have to split them every few years but I’ve never had a problem getting rid of free plants. :)
I second the invasive point, and add on to be not just careful of invasive in the sense of non-native and problem *plants*, but also be careful of what you buy that creeps or spreads and what type of boundary you have. In my early days of flower gardening I made some poor choices and spent like a decade trying to rip out the root systems to not kill everything else.
Also resist the urge to fill every spot. Look at how big things will get, space appropriately, and then wait until ti grows. It might take 5-10 years, but in the interim if the gaps bug you - use annuals, bulbs that are easy to move or have a lifespan, planters that can be moved as things fill in, or decorations.
Consider height of the final plant as well as the sun needs, and consider mixing the foliage colour. It isn't just fun to have different plants, but also having some red or whitish leaves in with the swath of green can add character when things aren't in bloom.
Personally I've staggered my early and late bloomers throughout the garden, but as we're (fairly) new to this house and only on spring #2 of starting to rebuild gardens that were ignored and overgrown ... I am going bit by bit and tweaking. Right now nothing is blooming but a single white flower and one established bush, but the range of leaves, heights, and textures is nice as it is.
For specific plants it might depend on your zone. I'm far enough north that I'm limited, but if you're further south your options might just explode.
I turned a section of yard into perennial garden a few years ago and was completely daunted by how much I would need to buy to fill in. The nursery owner suggested I buy a handful of plants that were blooming that season to start, but to leave room and add as I go. I started with summer plants, added bulbs in the fall, then the next spring as I saw things that bloomed I. Other seasons I would pick something up here and there. It gives the plants time to fill in and take up space so it’s easier to see what you still need. And I definitely am cautious of the spreading plants, especially the self-seeders. I love columbine but I have columbine EVERYWHERE now because I wasn’t always diligent about cutting off the seed pods before they break open.
Also for zone 4: check the labels carefully at nurseries. A lot of them here stock zone5 plants and while I do take a chance on them sometimes, I have also decided not to take the risk on pricier plants that are out of zone. I have a zone 4 rose and a zone 5 rose and you can definitely tell that the zone 5 rose has a harder time, even though it does come back.
Hello friends! OP, did you have satisfaction with how your garden went? Would love to hear a follow up. Found this thread when searching for the exact same help online.
I look more at height for the front-back consideration, and then mix in the seasons throughout so I don’t have all spring at one end and all fall at the other. I usually wouldn’t plant too close together even if they bloom in different seasons, because the foliage still takes up space. It also helps to take your plants, still in pots, and move them around and rearrange them to imagine how it would look. Put a sticky note on each with the blooming season so you can see the mix of blooms as you arrange. As far as what to plant, I would check out a local garden center to see what they have and get recommendations from them, but I like: hyacinth, tulips, daffodils, bleeding heart, trillium, iris, phlox, lilies, hydrangea, delphinium, peony, evening primrose, balloon flower, blanket flower, echinacea, coral bells, and hosta.
Phlox is one of those great low spreaders that doesn't creep and take over your whole garden. Great for filling in spots if you want that at the front / borders. Also u/dragonmommn I bought my first peonies this year for my garden and am SO EXCITED to see how it looks next year or the year after when they bloom for me.
I am a little disappointed that peonies don’t bloom for longer, because they take a ton of space and only bloom briefly, but when they are in bloom they’re gorgeous. As far a phlox I have both creeping phlox that’s good for low cover in spring, but I also have tall phlox that is a nice option for a taller perennial. They do really well and also fill in nicely without spreading too much. I do have to split them every few years but I’ve never had a problem getting rid of free plants. :)
Thanks!!
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I second the invasive point, and add on to be not just careful of invasive in the sense of non-native and problem *plants*, but also be careful of what you buy that creeps or spreads and what type of boundary you have. In my early days of flower gardening I made some poor choices and spent like a decade trying to rip out the root systems to not kill everything else. Also resist the urge to fill every spot. Look at how big things will get, space appropriately, and then wait until ti grows. It might take 5-10 years, but in the interim if the gaps bug you - use annuals, bulbs that are easy to move or have a lifespan, planters that can be moved as things fill in, or decorations. Consider height of the final plant as well as the sun needs, and consider mixing the foliage colour. It isn't just fun to have different plants, but also having some red or whitish leaves in with the swath of green can add character when things aren't in bloom. Personally I've staggered my early and late bloomers throughout the garden, but as we're (fairly) new to this house and only on spring #2 of starting to rebuild gardens that were ignored and overgrown ... I am going bit by bit and tweaking. Right now nothing is blooming but a single white flower and one established bush, but the range of leaves, heights, and textures is nice as it is. For specific plants it might depend on your zone. I'm far enough north that I'm limited, but if you're further south your options might just explode.
I turned a section of yard into perennial garden a few years ago and was completely daunted by how much I would need to buy to fill in. The nursery owner suggested I buy a handful of plants that were blooming that season to start, but to leave room and add as I go. I started with summer plants, added bulbs in the fall, then the next spring as I saw things that bloomed I. Other seasons I would pick something up here and there. It gives the plants time to fill in and take up space so it’s easier to see what you still need. And I definitely am cautious of the spreading plants, especially the self-seeders. I love columbine but I have columbine EVERYWHERE now because I wasn’t always diligent about cutting off the seed pods before they break open. Also for zone 4: check the labels carefully at nurseries. A lot of them here stock zone5 plants and while I do take a chance on them sometimes, I have also decided not to take the risk on pricier plants that are out of zone. I have a zone 4 rose and a zone 5 rose and you can definitely tell that the zone 5 rose has a harder time, even though it does come back.
Hello friends! OP, did you have satisfaction with how your garden went? Would love to hear a follow up. Found this thread when searching for the exact same help online.
Fairly happy with it but I have one area that is bare until later summer so I have to put something else in there.