Mid-Season Check-In: Filling the Gaps with Low-Maintenance Native Plants
The Mid-Season Landscape Review
We’re well into the growing season, and now is the perfect time to take a walk through your garden with fresh eyes. Notice what’s thriving, where the color and texture are strong, and—just as importantly—where the gaps have appeared. This mid-season evaluation helps you choose plants that will fill in weak spots, extend bloom times, and keep your landscape low-maintenance yet beautiful all year long.
Whether you’re in the heart of Philadelphia or along the Main Line, this is the season to make smart, lasting plant additions that align with sustainable landscape design trends and your home’s unique style.
Designing for Year-Round Structure and Beauty
A balanced, low-maintenance landscape in our region needs four layers: evergreen trees, evergreen shrubs, flowering shrubs, and perennial color. By mixing structure with seasonal interest, you create a garden that supports pollinators, weathers drought, and looks good in every month of the year.
Recommended Plant Palette for Main Line and Philadelphia Homes
Evergreen Tree Layer
Bracken’s Brown Beauty Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) – Glossy leaves, fragrant white blooms, compact habit.
Teddy Bear Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Southern Charm’) – Dense, upright form perfect for smaller spaces.
Evergreen Shrubs
Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra) – Native, deer-resistant, and a great substitute for boxwood.
Coastal Leucothoe (Leucothoe axillaris) – Evergreen foliage with graceful arching branches and spring flowers.
Flowering Shrub Layer
Smooth Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) – Reliable summer blooms in sun or shade.
Brandywine Viburnum (Viburnum nudum ‘Brandywine’) – Multi-season interest: spring flowers, summer fruit, and red fall foliage.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum prolificum) – Golden summer blooms, pollinator-friendly.
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) – Bright red stems for striking winter interest.
Flowering Perennials
Amsonia ‘Starstruck’ and ‘Grande’ (Amsonia spp.) – Soft blue flowers in spring, golden fall foliage.
Baptisia australis – Dramatic blue, spring blooms and striking seed pods.
Purple Beauty Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata) – Early spring carpet of color.
Homestead Purple Verbena (Verbena canadensis) – Long-blooming groundcover.
Husker Red Penstemon (Penstemon digitalis) – White flowers over deep red foliage.
Rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta) – Bright, cheerful yellow summer flowers.
‘Kobold’ Liatris (Liatris spicata) – Spikes of purple midsummer blooms make upright accent.
Phlox ‘Jeana’ (Phlox paniculata) – Long blooming, pink, pollinator-magnet flowers.
‘Bluebird’ Aster (Aster laevis) – Clear blue autumn flowers and smooth mint-green foliage.
‘Golden Fleece’ Goldenrod (Solidago sphacelata) – Compact, pollinator-friendly golden blooms.
Shenandoah Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’) – Elegant grass with burgundy-tipped foliage.
Why This Plant List Works for the Main Line and Philadelphia
This palette blends native plants for Philadelphia and the Main Line with proven performance to thrive in our region’s hot summers, cold winters, and varied conditions. Each species contributes to the health of your garden ecosystem by:
Supporting pollinators and local wildlife.
Reducing maintenance and watering needs.
Offering beauty and interest through every season.
Whether you’re filling a gap in your border or rethinking your garden’s structure, these plants bring resilience and year-round appeal.
A Garden That Works as Hard as It Looks Good
At Union Landscape Design, we believe a successful garden is one that thrives without constant intervention. By incorporating low-maintenance native plants like the ones above, you’re investing in beauty, biodiversity, and a landscape that will grow better with age.
Ready to see how these plants can transform your yard? Check out our Design and Installation Packages to begin your landscape design and start refreshing your garden this season.
