Perennials- Where do they go?

Perennials- Where do they go?

Designing your flower garden in layers—placing shorter plants in the front, medium growers in the middle, and tall varieties in the back—not only creates a balanced, professional look, but also ensures every plant gets the attention it deserves. This method allows blooms to be seen from every angle, prevents taller plants from shading out smaller ones, and gives your garden a sense of depth and dimension. With a little planning, you can also stagger bloom times across each layer, so your garden stays colorful and full of life from early spring through fall. Thoughtful layering turns a simple flower bed into a vibrant display that looks intentional, organized, and stunning all season long.

Front Border for a Perennial Garden

The front border is best filled with low-growing plants that won’t hide the layers behind them. Since many of these bloom earlier in the year, they add a burst of color in spring and help frame the rest of the garden as it comes to life.

  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Aubretia: April-June
  • Arabis: April-June
  • Aurinia: April-June
  • Bergenia: April-June
  • Iberis: April-May
  • Myosotis: April-June
  • Phlox: April-June
  • Potentilla: April-September
  • Viola: April-June; Septemeber
  • Vinca Minor: April-June
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Artemesia: May-October
  • Cerastium: May-June
  • Corydalis: May-October
  • Dianthus: May-June
  • Dicentra: May-August
  • Lamium: May-September
  • Lamiamstrum: May-June
  • Nepeta: May-September
  • Papaver: May-August
  • Saponaria: May-June
  • Stachy’s: May-October
  • Veronica Repens: May-June
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Astilbe: June-July
  • Gaillardia: June-October
  • Heuchera: June-July
  • Sempervirum: June-August
  • Sedum: June-September
  • Thyme: June-July
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Hosta: July-September
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Chrysanthemum: August-November
  • Viola: September; April-June

Middle Portion for a Perennial Garden

  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Alyssum: April-June
  • Erigeron: April-June
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Armeria: May-June, June-August
  • Aquilegia: May-June
  • Artemesia: May-October
  • Dianthus: May-June
  • Dicentra: May-June
  • Euphorbia: May-August
  • Geranium: May-August
  • Geum: May-September
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Achiliea: June-July
  • Armeria: June-August,May-June
  • Batisia: June-July
  • Campanula: June-September
  • Centareua: June-July
  • Centranthus: June-August
  • Coreopsis: June-September
  • Delphinium: June-September
  • Gaillardia: June-October
  • Gypsophilia: June-September
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Ascelepias tuberosa: July-September
  • Echinacea: July-September
  • Gonolimon: July-August
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Aster: August-September
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Anenome: September-October

Middle Portion for a Perennial Garden

  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Iberis: April-June
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Linum: May-August
  • Nepeta: May-September
  • Oenthera: May-June
  • Peony: May-June
  • Veronica: May-August
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Heuchechera: June-July
  • Hermocallis: June-September
  • Lavander: June-August
  • Lupinus: June
  • Lychnis: June-August
  • Pentstemon: June-August
  • Papaver Oriental: June
  • Phlox: June-July
  • Platycodon: June-October
  • Salvia: June-September
  • Sedum: June-September
  • Soapanaria: June-July
  • Scabiosa: June-August
  • Tradescantia: June-September
  • Trollius: June-July
  • Thyme: June-July
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Hosta: July-September
  • Liatris: July-August
  • Lysimachia: July-August
  • Malva: July-August
  • Rudebeckia: July-September
  • Verbascum: July-August
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Knipofia: August-September
  • Lobelia: August-September
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Chrysanthemum: September-November

Back Border for a Perennial Garden

  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Doronicum: April-June
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Coreopsis: May-September
  • Gypsophilia: May-July
  • Iris: May-July
  • Peony: May-June
  • Soapanaria: May-June
  • Scabiosa: May-August
  • Trollius: May-June
  • Veronica: May-August
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Achilea: June-September
  • Astilbe: June-August
  • Campanula: June-August
  • Centranthus: June-September
  • Centareua: June-August
  • Delphinium: June-July, September
  • Digitalis: June-August
  • Hermocallis: June-September
  • Heleiopsis: June-October
  • Leucanthemum: June-September
  • Penstemon: June-July
  • Phlox: June-July
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Alcea: July-August
  • Boltonia: July-October
  • Cumicifuga: July-August
  • Echinacea: July-September
  • Echinops: July-August
  • Liatris: July-August
  • Monorda: July-August
  • Phytostegia: July-September
  • Rudebeckia: July-September
  • Verbascum: July-August
  • Perennial: Bloom Time
  • Aster: August-September
  • Kniphofia: August-September
  • Pervoskia: August-September
  • Salvia: August-October

Layering your garden is a simple but powerful way to keep your flower beds looking full, balanced, and colorful all season long. By placing shorter plants in front, medium growers in the middle, and taller varieties in the back, you create depth, ensure every bloom can shine, and enjoy a more continuous display from spring through fall. With a bit of planning, your garden will not only look intentional but also thrive year after year.