Year-Round Beauty with Native Perennials
native landscapes can support wildlife, look beautiful year-round, And be low maintenance, with a design that incorporates the right combination of plants
At Union Landscape Design, we love showing clients that a beautiful, low-maintenance garden doesn’t have to be fleeting. With the right mix of native perennials, grasses, and shrubs, your landscape can look alive and interesting in every season — not just when flowers are in full bloom. Designing with plants that thrive in our local climate and provide more than one “moment” of beauty means less work for you and more enjoyment year-round.
Our Favorite Native Perennials (and a few shrubs) for Multiple Seasons of Interest and Beauty
Amsonia tabernaemontana ‘Grande’
Clusters of soft, sky-blue flowers in spring, lush green foliage through summer, and leaves that turn lime, amber, and red in fall. Stands gracefully through winter.
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Eastern Beardtongue)
Delicate white flowers in late spring, seed heads through summer, and deep burgundy foliage year-round.
Baptisia australis (Blue False Indigo)
Indigo-blue blooms in spring, deep green foliage through summer, and ornamental pea-pod seed heads in fall.
Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan)
Bright golden petals with dark centers from mid-summer into early fall; dried seed heads provide winter interest and food for birds.
Heuchera villosa ‘Autumn Bride’
Evergreen, velvety foliage year-round; airy white flowers in early fall.
Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox)
Evergreen succulent-textured foliage; brilliant blue or purple blooms in spring.
Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ (Switchgrass)
Upright green blades all season, turning rich red by midsummer; soft strawy tan in winter.
Muhlenbergia capillaris (Pink Muhly Grass)
Airy pink blooms in October–November, fading to delicate texture that catches the light.
Cornus sericea (Red Twig Dogwood)
Brilliant red stems throughout winter once leaves drop.
Ilex verticillata (Winterberry Holly)
Bright red berries in winter that feed birds and brighten the landscape.
Why Native Perennials Make a Great Low-Maintenance Garden
When designed thoughtfully, native perennial gardens evolve gracefully through the year. From soft greens in spring, vibrant blooms in summer, glowing foliage in fall, and sculptural forms in winter. They require less watering, fewer chemicals, and less fuss overall, allowing you to enjoy a landscape that works with nature, not against it.
If you’re dreaming of a garden that looks great in every season and supports the local ecosystem, we’d love to help design one that fits your home and lifestyle.
Follow this link to schedule your design consultation now.
— Union Landscape Design
