A Plantswoman’s Guide to Year-Round Colour and Texture in Your Garden
Every gardener dreams of a garden that offers something beautiful in every season, a space that feels alive with colour, texture, and interest, no matter the time of year. The secret to achieving this lies in careful planning and choosing plants that shine at different times. With the right combination, your garden can become a year-round delight.
Let’s start with structure, the backbone of any garden. Evergreen shrubs like pittosporum, holly, or yew provide reliable greenery and form, even in the depths of winter. They act as the perfect foil for the stars of each season, creating a cohesive look and giving your garden a sense of permanence.
In spring, bulbs bring a burst of joy after the quiet of winter. Snowdrops, crocuses, and narcissus are among the earliest to emerge, followed by tulips in a rainbow of colours. Pair these with early-flowering perennials like pulmonaria to add depth and texture.
Summer is when your garden can really sing. Herbaceous perennials like phlox, salvias, and geraniums offer vibrant blooms, while climbing roses add height and fragrance. Don’t forget grasses like Stipa tenuissima to introduce gentle movement, catching the light and adding softness to borders.
As summer fades, autumn steps in with its own rich palette. Japanese maples glow in shades of red and gold, while plants like sedums, asters, and rudbeckias extend the flowering season. This is also the time to enjoy the seed heads of summer flowers, which add texture and provide food for wildlife.
Winter doesn’t have to be bleak. Shrubs like dogwood, with their fiery red stems, or witch hazel, with its delicate, scented flowers, bring interest when you need it most. Ornamental grasses left uncut offer a frosty silhouette, and evergreen ferns provide a lush backdrop.
By combining plants that take turns in the spotlight, you can create a garden that’s always evolving, always offering something to admire. With a little thought and care, your garden can be a source of joy all year round, right here in the UK’s ever-changing seasons.
Love Caroline x