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Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard

An early seasonal display of iris, foxglove, bleeding-heart and narcissus welcomes spring in a raised-bed planter.

From the first green sprouts of spring to the last wispy grasses poking through slowly accumulating snow, perennials provide a changing show and signal the turn of the seasons for many gardeners. And thanks to these wonderful plants, it’s not too hard to grow a garden full of continuous color all season long – but it does take some planning.

Start by looking at your existing planting beds, noting each plant’s bloom season (which can last from weeks to months). Then comes the trick of selecting the right plants to fill in the blanks.

When planning a succession of blooms, begin with the end of the growing season – from the heat of August until the first frost in October (or later in warm areas) – and work backward through summer and spring. Allow time for sprouting, blooming and entering dormancy. (Remember, some blooms are lovely in their dried state or as they go to seed, so feel free to leave them as food for birds and to provide visual interest through fall and into winter.)

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Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard

By midyear, spring plants have finished their display and this well-planned successional planting of lupine, dianthus and daisy can take over.

Another key is selecting a highlight plant for each season or partial season: early spring, spring, early summer, summer and fall. Areas in mild climates might even have some hardy plants that bloom throughout winter. Consider including a mass of blooming plants to grab onlookers’ attention so the other plants that are sprouting or fading are easily ignored. Try to create a series of focal points at various points of your garden, too – like a border near a patio or a bed near the deck. Choose plants that bloom when you’re most likely to be nearby to enjoy them.

You’ll find having even just a few plants in bloom throughout the growing season can bring a lot of impact to your garden. Add a few hardy asters or perennial sunflowers to the back of the border, tuck Japanese anemones into a spot of dry shade under trees, and sneak some toad lilies in a bank of shady groundcover so your garden will offer surprises throughout the growing season.

With good planning and gardening practices, you can promote healthy growth, extend the bloom season and keep your garden tidy and enjoyable year-round – filling your outdoor living space with color beauty no matter what the season.