choose your flower!

Daylilies are a good choice as they are easy to maintain and come in a variety of colors. A mix of bulbs, spring and summer (tulips, Iris, etc) help to give color in down times. Sedum (tall variety with large flower head) gives you flowers in late fall and gives shape to your garden during the winter as well. One of my favorites is Lupin, depending on the variety they can be tall, short and a wide variety of colors. Another good one is Baptista, it looks almost like a shrub but gives excellent flowers, and year round form and interest.

Speaking of shrubs/bushes, one of the earliest blooming plants is Forsythia, vibrant bright yellow flowers make it stunning. Lilacs are excellent not only for scent but for color. Burning Bushes are also fun as they give excellent fall and winter color and if you look closely, they actually have green flowers. There are also evergreens like Rhododendron which will give you interest year round as well as flowers.

Check with your local nursery for varieties of these plants that do best in your area.