Planning the Garden

• Planning a four-season perennial garden requires some significant preparation. First, it is important to observe the sunlight in the yard. Knowing how much sun exposure a site gets is key to selecting plants that will survive in that area. It is also important to choose a site that will allow for many types of plants to be planted and have room to grow. With a four season garden, plants will be in various stages of growth and blooming throughout the year. Deadheading flowers, cutting back previous season perennials, fertilizing, watering, pruning and weeding are tasks that will be required throughout the year.
  
  

Spring

• Spring is often characterized by early blooming flowers that begin to blossom just when people begin to hope winter is over. Early blooming perennials help bridge the gap between a winter garden a summer flower garden. Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis) fills the garden with colorful, bell-shaped blooms beginning in late March. This plant reaches an average height between 15 to 18 inches and bloom colors range from cream to pale green to lavender to burgundy. Fill the areas under shade trees with the Pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris), recommends the Iowa State University Extension. This low-growing perennial features fuzzy, white hairs that cover flower buds. It blooms in purple, maroon, or white flowers. During the summer, the Pasque flower forms large seed heads, extending its interest to the summer garden.
  
  

Summer

• Summer is the perfect time to plant perennials with a long blooming season, recommends perennial specialist Larry Hurley of the Behnke Nursery. Summer plants also attract butterflies, bees and birds to the garden. Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum) blooms with dusty-rose colored blossoms and reaches an average height over 6 feet tall. For unexpected, blue blooms, plant Walker's Low catmint (Nepeta faassenii). These flowers begin to blossom in late May or early June. In addition to attracting bees to pollinate the garden, Walker's Low is known to attract cats, as its closely related to catnip. Deadhead these summer perennials frequently, cutting off dried out blooms. Often, deadheading will help encourage a second-wave of summer blooming.
  
  

Autumn

• In the autumn, extend the life of the flower garden by planting some flowers that bloom from the late summer into the autumn. Mums (Chrysanthemum cultivators) are ideal for the autumn flower garden because these flowers are readily available in a number of colors and combinations. Plant mums in the spring for an August blooming. Blooming will continue until a hard frost. Goldenrod (Asteraceae cultivators) fills the fall garden with colorful yellow blossoms. These flowers are drought-hardy, ideal for areas where the autumn is dry and cool.
  
  

Winter

• The winter garden presents one of the most challenging seasons for flower gardeners. Many plants naturally go dormant or die off during cold winter weather. Winter-blooming iris (Iris unguicularis) begin to flower in November and continue through a hard frost. Bloom colors range from white to deep purple. Another good perennial for the winter garden is the Kaffir lily (Schizostylis coccinea). From November to January, the Kaffir lily will bloom in areas with mild winters. In other areas, consider planting the lily as a container plant, bringing it inside during a hard frost. The lily blooms in a variety red-family shades including bright pink and fire-engine red.