One of my goals is to have something in bloom every day of the year—and I have achieved that goal.  Even in winter there are many options (at least in my zone).  In January, for instance, some early Camellia japonica varieties will begin to bloom, as well as hellebores (Lenten roses) and even early bulbs like snowdrops, Iris reticulata and early narcissus.  Late winter brings the fragrant white and yellow blooms of Edgeworthia chrysantha (paperbush), and Daphne odora (white or pink) that perfume the garden.  And, of course, there are annuals that will grow and bloom in winter such as pansies, violas, and snapdragons in milder zones.

Evergreens are especially important in winter.  They define spaces, add color, texture, create windbreaks,  and provide shelter for birds.  Essential for every garden.

Spring brings cheer at the end of a cold winter with a wide choice of options including bulb favorites such as crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips in a vast array of colors.  One must have at least one beautiful spring flowering tree in the garden.  Choose among cherries, crabapples, dogwoods, magnolias, or redbuds--there is something to fit any garden.  Flowering shrubs like azaleas, forsythia, lilacs, mockorange, mountain laurel, rhododendrons, viburnums, and more are essential and are useful for color, texture and often, scent, as accents, hedges, or as part of a shrub border or mixed border.  Spring perennials include some of the most beloved flowers of all including columbines, delphiniums, dianthus, foxgloves, irises, peonies, phlox, and poppies.

Summer is a time of great abundance in the garden and there is scarcely a limit in choice.  Summer brings alliums, tropical looking caladiums and perfumed lilies. among other bulbs.  There are coneflowers, daisies, daylilies, salvias, and so many more perennials.  Of course, summer is the time for annuals, too, and there are many to choose from--amaranths, begonias, cosmos, marigolds, nicotiana, poppies, sweet peas, zinnias--to name just a few.  There may not be as many flowering shrubs and trees blooming in the summer, but the ones that do are some of the best including crape myrtles, evergreen magnolias, gardenias, hydrangeas, and roses.

Autumn is for many the best time of year.  The weather has cooled, the leaves begin to change color, and it is the perfect time for planting.  Autumn brings forth sudden bulb flowers from colchicums, autumn crocuses, and lycorises (naked ladies).  Late season perennials dazzle with the blues of monkshoods and salvias, yellows of rudbeckias and chrysanthemums, blues and purples of asters, pinks of sedums, and the charm of Japanese anemones--not mention the airy graceful plumes of grasses. When we think of shrubs and trees for fall, we automatically think of ones with brilliant fall foliage color like enkianthus, winterhazel, viburnum, maples, dogwoods, ginkgos, and many more.  But there are some that continue flowering from summer until frost like abelias, buddleias, and roses.  And then there are the special ones that are worth waiting for, especially in the South--Camellia sasanqua and Osmanthus fragrans.  Sasanquas for their beautiful blooms of white, pink, or red; and osmanthus for the delicious fragrance that emanates from tiny flowers of white or orange.