Gardens in full bloom draw the spotlight, but how can you make the performance last? With some thoughtful planning, perennial gardens can produce bountiful blooms from early spring through late fall. Add some imaginative garden structures and interesting trees and shrubs, and the show goes on year-round.
Every theatrical production begins with a vision.
Similarly, garden design should consider overall appearance and specific plant selection considering color, length of bloom and timing. Some perennials come and go in two to four weeks, while some roses show off for months.
Planning is made easy with abundant Internet and gardening-book resources, as well as numerous fact sheets from Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. Professionals are available to help uncover the delicate balance of visual appeal and practical plant selection.
Pam Tomlinson, a Hidden Garden LLC design consultant, says “A great design starts with the end in sight … how you envision the garden appearing in phases is key to exceptional visual appeal.” Great films always are set in the context of a fabulous location. Gardens are similar. They need to be more than just stand-alone creations.
The best location for the garden extravaganza should be a site that receives adequate light and moisture along with good air circulation. Most of the flowers and grasses that do best in the West will favor sunny situations, so locations with at least five or more hours of summer sun will be best. The soil should be amended by combining about 2/3 to 3/4 volume of existing soil with 1/4 to 1/3 volume of good-quality compost from a local garden center. This will promote good plant health and vibrant growth.
Add a general-purpose fertilizer mix (5-10-5) annually to give the flowers the necessary nutrients for a spectacular summer show. Finish the stage once the plants are in place with a top dressing of organic mulch to preserve moisture.
Every casting director knows that a clever balance of celebrity power and supporting cast keeps things interesting. Choosing the right stars for the show is critical. Early season performers include bulbs such as crocus, daffodils and tulips, which yield the stage to flowering shrubs such as forsythia, lilac, viburnum and weigela. Classic favorites such as peony, iris, daisy and daylily should be considered the headliners of the summer. Don’t forget the garden divas from the rose family. There are hundreds of varieties, from the hybrid tea to the prolific Canadian shrub rose.
The supporting cast is equally important as the stars appear and then retire to the wings. Consider soft, delicate blooms such as baby’s breath, hardy geranium and salvia or select plants for their unique and enduring foliage. These can be low-growing varieties like creeping phlox or taller ornamental grasses. These offer an interesting contrast of texture and color to give the performance a subtle interlude between the stars’ appearances.
Color selection can vary from the monochromatic to the multicolor, but be certain to consider colors that complement one another.
“People should refrain from choosing plants that they loved from other areas of the country,” Tomlinson says. “Many of those don’t do well here in the challenging climate of the Mile High City. Check out the Best Perennials for the Rocky Mountains and High Plains, and you’ll find all sorts of wonderful alternatives. The most popular plant varieties for this region are listed by bloom cycle, color and height.”
As the days grow shorter, the entertainment continues with the appearance of dahlias and cannas along with perennial favorites fall aster and autumn joy sedum. Roses will be producing their final blooms, so it’s time to stop deadheading for the year. While the last blossoms fade, take the opportunity to plant spring-blooming bulbs and annual pansies that will overwinter and be the opening act in the new year.
When the final act comes to a close, the perennial garden can still produce visual appeal with those strategically positioned shrubs and grasses. Red twig dogwood or evergreen shrubs are great for winter interest. The compact burning bush gives a spectacular fall foliage finale and offers an intriguing silhouette that lingers until new leaves appear.
The seed-head adorned ornamental grasses like Karl Foerster and statuesque hardy pampas grass will entertain the crowds until spring arrives.
Also consider a whimsical piece of art, large boulders or a unique vertical structure graced by a sweet autumn clematis as other eye-catching elements. And don’t forget the many ground covers that give additional texture and color through the stark winter season.
Candytuft will stay evergreen, as will dragon’s blood sedum. Ice plant is another great addition that covers the ground with a wine-colored blanket throughout the respite.
Orchestrate an award-winning performance by varying the crescendos of bold colors with quiet interludes of demure blossoms. Then let winter provide the short intermission, where a hush can fall over the garden as the stars are eagerly awaited in next season’s appearance.
David Vande Casteele is a Colorado State University Cooperative Extension master gardener in Arapahoe County.
