Emily Culver Emily Culver

Native Plant Combinations for Every Season

Seasonal Interest

By choosing native plants that offer beauty, structure, and support for wildlife throughout the seasons, you can create a dynamic and environmentally friendly garden. These seasonal plant combinations not only enhance the visual appeal of your landscape but also provide essential resources for pollinators and wildlife. Embrace the changing seasons and enjoy a garden that is alive with color and activity all year long.

Cercis canadensis

Spring: Waking up the Garden

Spring is a time of renewal, and your garden can reflect this with vibrant native plants that awaken after the winter. Focus on early bloomers and plants that provide essential resources for emerging pollinators.

1. Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

  • Description: This small understory tree is covered in pink blooms in early spring.

  • Companion Plants:

    • Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica): Adds a touch of blue with its delicate, nodding flowers.

    • Celandine/Wood Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum): A cheerful pop of yellow in contrast to the bluebells. Prefers moist conditions.

    • Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum): Offers a delicate pink flower with charming foliage.

2. Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)

  • Description: This tree features white blooms in early spring and edible berries in summer.

  • Companion Plants:

    • Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea): Provides bright yellow flowers that attract early pollinators.

    • Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis): Adds early white blooms that complement the Serviceberry.

3. Eastern Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

  • Description: Known for its unique, red and yellow flowers.

  • Companion Plants:

    • Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata): Offers fragrant blue flowers that attract butterflies.

    • Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia): Provides white, foam-like blooms that contrast beautifully with Columbine.

Rudbeckia hirta

Summer: Explosions of Color

Summer gardens can be vibrant and lush, providing nectar and habitat for a wide variety of pollinators. Focus on plants that thrive in the heat and offer continuous blooms.

1. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

  • Description: Bright yellow flowers with dark centers, great for attracting bees and butterflies.

  • Companion Plants:

    • Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea): Soft purple flowers contrast with spiky cone-shaped centers. Attracts a range of pollinators. Seed heads provide structural interest and food for the birds into fall and winter.

    • Bee Balm (Monarda fistuliosa): Offers red or pink blooms that are loved by bees and hummingbirds. Interesting seed heads once the flowers have faded.

2. Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

  • Description: Vibrant orange flowers that are crucial for Monarch butterflies.

  • Companion Plants:

    • Little Blue Stem (Schizachyrium scoparium): Many varieties have attractive blue hues through summer, turning red with tufted seed heads in autumn.

    • Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris): Adds golden-yellow flowers and height to your summer garden.

    • Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum): Adds tall, pink flower clusters that attract butterflies and bees.

3. Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

  • Description: Unique spherical flower clusters that bloom in summer.

  • Companion Plants:

    • Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica): Adds vertical interest with its blue spikes.

    • Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): Provides additional nectar for Monarchs and other butterflies.

    • Ironweed (Vernonia novaboriensis): Offers tall, purple flower clusters that complement the Buttonbush.

Fall: Jewel Tones and Food for Wildlife

Fall is a time for rich, warm colors and seeds that feed wildlife preparing for winter. Choose plants that offer late-season blooms and berries.

1. Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)

Description: Provides vibrant purple flowers in late summer to fall.

  • Companion Plants:

    • Goldenrod (Solidago spp.): Offers bright yellow blooms that contrast beautifully with Asters.

    • Bluestar (Amsonia Hubrichtii): A golden cloud of delicate foliage that perfectly compliments domes of purple asters.

2. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

  • Description: Known for its striking purple berries in fall.

  • Companion Plants:

    • Spicebush (Lindera benzoin): Offers aromatic yellow flowers and bright red berries. In fall the foliage turns a beautiful yellow.

    • Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Adds late-season yellow flowers and interesting twig formations.

3. Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)

  • Description: Provides edible berries and stunning fall foliage.

  • Companion Plants:

    • Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium): Features red berries and vibrant fall color.

    • Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): Adds brilliant autumn hues with its foliage.

Hamamelis vernalis

Winter: A Time for Structure and Interest

Winter gardens should provide structure and interest, offering shelter and food sources for wildlife. Choose plants with appealing bark, berries, or evergreen foliage.

1. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

  • Description: An evergreen with aromatic foliage and blue berries.

  • Companion Plants:

    • Broomsedge (Andropogon Virginicus): Structural, tan grass that glows in the low winter light.

    • Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata): Provides vibrant red berries that stand out against winter’s backdrop.

2. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis)

  • Description: Known for its unique yellow flowers that bloom in winter.

  • Companion Plants:

    • Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea): Adds striking red stems and winter interest.

    • Holly (Ilex opaca): Offers evergreen leaves and bright red berries.

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