Creating a Colourful Garden Border All Year Round: Best Evergreen Flowering Shrubs with Non-Evergreen Flowers, Bulbs, and Perennials
A vibrant garden border that offers colour and interest in every season is achievable by combining evergreen flowering shrubs with seasonal bulbs, perennials, and architectural plants.
Evergreen Flowering Shrubs for Structure and Year-Round Interest
Camellia
Glossy, dark green leaves and stunning blooms in pink, red, and white from autumn to spring, thriving in partial shade and acidic soil.
Rhododendrons
Large, vivid flower clusters in spring, ideal for shaded areas with moist, acidic soil.
Daphne
Small, fragrant flowers in winter and early spring with compact, evergreen foliage.
Mahonia
Spiky, holly-like leaves and bright yellow winter flowers, thriving in shade and adding architectural texture.
Escallonia
Glossy green leaves and clusters of tubular flowers in pink, red, or white during summer, perfect for sunny borders.
Nandina domestica (Heavenly Bamboo)
Airy foliage that turns red in winter, white summer flowers, and bright red berries in autumn.
Viburnum tinus
Evergreen leaves with pinkish-white flowers from late winter, followed by metallic blue berries.
Skimmia japonica
Compact shrubs with fragrant spring flowers and long-lasting red berries.
Azalea (Evergreen varieties)
Bright, showy blooms in spring with dense, green foliage year-round.
Architectural Plants for Texture and Height
Palm Tree (Trachycarpus fortunei)
Hardy, fan-shaped leaves that add an exotic, architectural element.
Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica)
Majestic fronds providing lush greenery and structure, especially in shaded or damp spots.
Perennials and Bulbs for Seasonal Colour
Spring:
Alliums
Globe-shaped purple flowers on tall stems, adding height and drama among shrubs like Rhododendrons and Escallonia.
Hyacinths
Fragrant, colourful spikes that contrast beautifully with evergreen Skimmia and Azaleas.
Daffodils
Cheerful yellow and white flowers that pair perfectly with Mahonia’s yellow winter blooms.
Tulips
Bold, colourful flowers that create eye-catching displays against the dark green leaves of Camellias.
Crocus
Delicate purple, white, and yellow flowers that weave through low-growing plants like Hostas.
Summer:
Hydrangea macrophylla
Large, colourful blooms in blue, pink, or white that thrive alongside Nandina and Viburnum.
Roses
Continuous blooms in shades from soft pastels to deep reds, perfect with Escallonia and Tree Ferns.
Lavender
Aromatic purple spikes that provide contrast to the deep green of Rhododendrons and palms.
Salvia
Spires of blue, purple, or red flowers that attract pollinators and blend well with Camellias and Hostas.
Geranium Rozanne
Violet-blue flowers blooming from late spring to early autumn, ideal around the base of shrubs.
Autumn:
Asters
Daisy-like flowers in purple, pink, and white that complement Nandina fiery autumn foliage.
Sedum
Autumn Joy Succulent leaves and clusters of pink-bronze flowers that darken through the season, contrasting with Mahonia and Viburnum.
Winter:
Hellebores
Nodding blooms in shades of white, pink, and purple, thriving beneath Tree Ferns and alongside Daphne.
Snowdrops
Early white blooms that pair beautifully with Skimmia and Camellia’s winter buds.
Design Tips for a Year-Round Border
Layering
Place tall evergreens like palms, tree ferns, and Rhododendrons at the back; mid-height shrubs like Camellias, Escallonia, and Hydrangeas in the middle; and lower-growing plants like Hostas, Skimmia, and seasonal bulbs at the front.
Succession Planting
Ensure continuous blooms by combining spring bulbs (alliums, hyacinths) with summer perennials (roses, salvias), autumn performers (asters, sedum), and winter flowers (hellebores, Daphne).
Contrast and Texture
Pair bold foliage like Nandina and Mahonia with delicate flowers like alliums and hydrangeas. Use the structural leaves of palms and tree ferns as a backdrop for vibrant seasonal blooms.
Fragrance and Colour
Include scented plants like Daphne, hyacinths, and lavender, alongside colourful blooms from azaleas, roses, and tulips.
Maintenance
Group plants with similar requirements. Mulch in spring, deadhead spent blooms, prune shrubs, and feed regularly for healthy, vigorous growth.
By thoughtfully combining evergreen flowering shrubs, architectural plants, and seasonal flowers and bulbs, your garden border will remain vibrant, colourful, and full of life all year round.