With the proper landscape design, there’s no reason your yard can’t display eye-catching color throughout all four seasons, even in a changing climate like Massachusetts.
Whether you want to attract pollinators, create a stunning garden edge, or simply enjoy a yard that never looks dull, choosing the perfect mix of seasonal plants adapted to our area is key for a beautiful garden design.
From the first cheerful blooms of spring to the fiery hues of fall and even the striking pops of red berries in winter, the right border plants can keep your landscape looking lively all year long.
We explore some of the best plants that will ensure your home landscape is always colorful and captivating, no matter the date on the calendar.
A fast-growing border plant, creeping phlox blooms in pink, purple, white or variegated shades, creating a carpet-like effect. It is an excellent choice to add ground cover.
Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: April through May
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
The first sight of red, yellow or white tulips is one of the earliest signs that spring officially has arrived. Tulip bulbs must be planted in the fall ahead of the first freeze, so you’ll need to plan ahead to incorporate these flowers into your landscape.
Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: March to May
Sun Requirements: Full sun
This plant earns its name from the delicate, heart-shaped pink and white flowers that dangle from green stems, forming bushy clumps. They thrive best in moist soil.
Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: April to June
Sun Requirements: Partial to full shade
Even as an early summer bloomer, Black-eyed Susans can keep their deep yellow flowers well into the fall. They’re drought tolerant and can thrive in a variety of soil types. To keep black-eyed Susans looking their best for as long as possible, you should deadhead them regularly to remove dead flowers; this will encourage new blooms to grow.
Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: June through September
Sun Requirements: Full sun
The bright cheery shades of daylilies make this border plant an ideal option for incorporating bright pops of color into your landscape. While the sunny yellow varieties may be most familiar to homeowners, low-maintenance daylilies also come in shades of pink, white and red. Clumps of daylilies should be divided every three to four years to prevent them from overcrowding other edging plants.
Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: June through August
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
A quintessential summer flower, hydrangeas can be a focal point of your landscape with their showy blooms that range in shades of blues, pinks, whites and greens. There are many different sizes of hydrangea shrubs, so whether you have a small or large space to fill your garden border, you’ll likely find a variety to meet your needs. Compact types commonly found in home landscapes range from two to three feet tall, while larger hydrangeas can reach heights of 15 feet or more.
Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: June through September
Sun Requirements: Partial shade to full sun
Asters aren’t afraid of a little cool weather, which makes them an ideal option to extend your yard’s color when the fall begins and summer flowers begin to fade. They’re extremely hardy and can tolerate even freezing temperatures for a short basis.
Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: August to October
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Also known as stonecrop, sedum is a border flower that is an absolute favorite of pollinators — add this flower to your landscape and you’ll be sure to find buzzing bees hard at work before long. The aptly-named Autumn Joy variety is a particular favorite for Massachusetts landscapes, with pink flowers that change into a copper hue as the season progresses.
Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: August to November
Sun Requirements: Full sun
An evergreen plant like a boxwood functions well as a foundational border plant among other flowering species of garden plants. One striking choice is the winter gem boxwood, which has rounded leaves that can change into a golden color during the cold months.
Type: Evergreen shrub
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Unlike other trees and plants that lose their leaves during the fall, the winterberry shrub is a holdout, boasting bright red berries on otherwise bare branches. This splash of color is especially attractive during the festive holiday season.
Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: White flowers in summer; red berries in winter
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
From the striking blue-green color of little bluestem to the yellow, orange and burgundy shades of Northern sea oats, ornamental grasses are a favorite for adding visual interest to a Massachusetts home landscape during the winter. Beyond their interesting colors, ornamental grasses also add varying heights and textures to the landscape.
Type: Perennial
Bloom Time: Summer to winter
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
To learn more about designing a custom landscape for your home, download our free ebook, Personalized Landscape Design: Why You Should Leave It to the Professionals. If you're ready to get started on your new landscape project, or simply want to learn more about the process, you can contact our team here to schedule a free consultation. We'd love to talk to you!
