Seasonal Interest
The best gardens move through the seasons with purpose, each month bringing new highlights. Seasonal plants are the markers of time passing—the tulips that herald spring, the dahlias that define summer's end, the seedheads that carry interest into winter.
Key Characteristics
- Peak at specific times for maximum seasonal impact
- Create anticipation and mark the garden calendar
- Often offer intense, concentrated displays
- Can be used to extend interest in mixed borders
- Many provide excellent cut flowers
Design Tips
Plan your garden with at least one highlight for each season. Interplant early bulbs with later perennials that will hide fading foliage. Use annuals like cosmos and dahlias to fill mid-summer gaps when spring flowers have finished.