Seasonal Plant Guide: Choosing the Right Plants for the Right Place and Time
Plan smarter, plant better, and enjoy a landscape that thrives year-round
Designing a beautiful and successful landscape isn’t just about picking your favorite flowers—it’s about choosing the right plant for the right place and the right time. Climate, light levels, water needs, plant size, and bloom time all play a critical role in long-term success. By understanding how plants perform in different conditions and seasons, you’ll create a garden that’s both beautiful and easy to maintain.
Whether you're working with full sun or deep shade, seeking privacy or pollinators, or simply want more seasonal color, the guide below breaks down top-performing plants by category to help you make informed decisions for your landscape.
Compact Plants (Under 5 Feet Tall)
Use these small but impactful plants to add structure to borders, fill in tight spaces, or complement larger shrubs and trees. They’re ideal for foundation beds, walkway edges, and containers.
- ‘Magic Carpet’ Japanese Spirea
- ‘Hetz Midget’ Globe Arborvitae
- ‘Gumpo White/Pink’ Azalea
- ‘Baby Kim’ Lilac
- ‘Cavatine’ Andromeda
- Color Cocktail Shrub Rose
- ‘Percy Wiseman’ Yak Rhododendron
- ‘Slowmound’ Mugo Pine
- ‘Green Velvet’ Boxwood
- ‘Spilled Wine’ Weigela
Low-Maintenance Plants
If you're looking to reduce yardwork without sacrificing beauty, these easy-care plants are your go-to. They require minimal pruning, watering, and pest control once established.
- ‘Steeds’ Japanese Holly
- Spring Grove Arborvitae
- ‘Blue Star’ Juniper
- Green Columnar Juniper
- ‘Pink Knock Out’ Rose
Deer-Resistant Selections
Live in an area with frequent deer traffic? These plants are less likely to be browsed, helping preserve your landscape investment without constant spraying or fencing.
- ‘Straight and Narrow’ Japanese Holly
- ‘NewGen Freedom’ Boxwood
- ‘Junior Giant’ Arborvitae
- ‘Gold Cone’ Common Juniper
- ‘Baby Blue’ Blue Spruce
- ‘Slowmound’ Mugo Pine
- ‘Crimson Cutie’ Barberry
- ‘Goldmound’ Spirea
- ‘Bandwidth’ Maiden Grass
- ‘Pugster Blue’ Butterfly Bush
Shade-Tolerant Plants
These plants thrive in lower light, making them perfect for north-facing beds, under trees, or any garden area where sunlight is limited.
- ‘Hino Crimson’, ‘Silver Sword’, and ‘Wintergreen’ Azaleas
- ‘NewGen Freedom’ Boxwood
- Coral Bells (multiple varieties)
- ‘Silver Heart’ Bugloss
- ‘Happy Days’ Hosta
- Summersweet, Fothergilla, Mountain Laurel
- Andromeda, Leatherleaf Viburnum, Siberian Cypress
Drought-Tolerant Plants
Ideal for hot, dry areas or homeowners looking to conserve water, these resilient plants handle dry spells with grace.
- ‘Jethro Tull’ Tickseed
- ‘Fruit Punch’ Dianthus
- ‘Color Guard’ Yucca
- ‘Nana’ Dwarf Japanese Juniper
- ‘True Passion’ Rose
- ‘Phenomenal’ Lavender
- ‘Blue Rug’ Juniper
- ‘Little Devil’ Ninebark
- Maiden Grasses
- “Green Spice” Coral Bells
Pollinator-Friendly Plants
Support bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds with these plants that provide nectar, habitat, or seeds. A pollinator-friendly garden adds movement, life, and ecological value to your landscape.
- ‘May Night’ and ‘Blue Bouquetta’ Salvia
- ‘Fire Alarm’ Coral Bells
- Everbloom ‘Watermelon Ice’ Dianthus
- ‘Bubblegum Candles’ Veronica
- ‘Pow Wow’ Echinacea
Hedge Plants for Privacy & Structure
Create natural borders and privacy screens with these shrubs and trees. Use formal rows for symmetry or mix varieties for a natural look.
- ‘Spring Grove’, ‘Junior Giant’, ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae
- ‘Shamrock’ Inkberry
- ‘Roseum Elegans’ Rhododendron
- ‘Red Beauty’ Holly
- ‘Lavender Chiffon’ Rose of Sharon
- ‘Green Columnar’ Juniper
Groundcovers That Work
Groundcovers help suppress weeds, stabilize soil, and fill gaps between larger plantings. Many bloom beautifully and are easy to maintain.
- ‘Ruby Riot’ Phlox
- ‘Nana’ Juniper
- ‘Gold Splash’ Wintercreeper
- ‘Spilled Wine’ Weigela
- ‘Blueberry Muffin’ Ajuga
Plants for Containers
These plants work great in pots and planters, making them ideal for patios, porches, and decks. Many offer long bloom periods and attractive foliage.
- ‘Tempo Rose’ Geum
- ‘May Night’ Salvia
- Coral Bells
- ‘Bloomerang’ Lilac
- Blueberry Buckle
- ‘Silver Heart’ Bugloss
- ‘Overdam’ Feather Reed Grass
- ‘Happy Returns’ Daylily
- ‘Imperial Gem’ Lavender
- ‘Lil Bang Daybreak’ Coreopsis
Fall Color Favorites
These plants bring drama and beauty to your garden as the seasons change, with foliage or bark that glows in autumn.
- ‘Forever Goldy’ and ‘Fire Chief’ Arborvitae
- ‘Coral Bark’ and ‘Bloodgood’ Japanese Maples
- ‘Golden Charm’ False Cypress
- PJM Rhododendron
- ‘Goldmound’ Spirea
Reliable Evergreens
Evergreens give your landscape structure and greenery even in the depths of winter. Use them for privacy, background, or year-round interest.
- ‘Vintage Gold’ Cypress
- ‘Steeds’, ‘Chesapeake’, and Compacta Hollies
- NewGen Freedom Boxwood
- Spring Grove Arborvitae
- ‘Cavatine’ Andromeda
- Green Columnar Juniper
Seasonal Stars: Plants by Bloom Time
Spring Bloomers– Welcome the season with bold color:
- ‘Tempo Rose’ Geum
- ‘Baby Kim’ Lilac
- ‘Hino Crimson’, ‘Bollywood’ Azaleas
- ‘PJM’ and ‘Chionoides’ Rhododendrons
Summer Bloomers – Keep the show going:
- Hens and Chicks
- Fruit Punch Dianthus
- ‘Georgia Peach’ Coral Bells
- ‘Lavender Chiffon’ Rose of Sharon
- ‘Goldmound’ Spirea
- Trellis Mandevilla
- Braided Hibiscus
Fall Bloomers – Finish strong with late-season interest:
- ‘Fruit Punch’ Dianthus
- ‘Pugster Blue’ Butterfly Bush
- Bartlett Semi-Dwarf Pear
Rebloomers– Enjoy flowers again and again:
- ‘Stella de Oro’ Daylily
- ‘Double Knock Out’ and ‘Color Cocktail’ Roses
- ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ Nepeta
- ‘Endless Summer’ Hydrangeas
- ‘Blue Jean Baby’ Russian Sage
Tall & Structural Plants (20+ Feet)
These trees and large shrubs create backdrops, focal points, or privacy screening for larger properties.
- ‘Baby Blue’ Blue Spruce
- ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae
- ‘Spring Grove’ Arborvitae
- ‘Pink Snow Showers’ Cherry
- Petiolaris Climbing Hydrangea
Heat-Tolerant Plants for Summer Resilience
Beat the heat with plants that withstand sun and drought, perfect for hot, exposed areas.
- Black-eyed Susan
- Coneflower
- Russian Sage
- Creeping Juniper
- Red Maple
- Little Bluestem
- Feather Reedgrass
- Switchgrass
- Tickseed
- Yucca
- ‘True Passion’ Rose
- Ninebark
- Lavender
Need Help Choosing the Right Plants for Your Property?
With so many plant choices out there, it helps to have a guide. At Shannon Lawn & Landscaping, we’ve been designing and installing stunning landscapes in Connecticut for over 37 years. Whether you’re starting fresh or enhancing your garden for seasonal appeal, we’ll help you choose the perfect plants for the perfect place and time.
🌿 Contact us today to schedule a landscape design consultation and take the guesswork out of gardening!
📍 Visit Us:1111 Honeyspot Rd, Stratford, CT
📞 203-375-8240
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