How to Create Year-Round Color in a Colorado Landscape

Colorado's distinct seasons offer a unique opportunity to design a landscape that captivates with color and interest throughout the entire year. While many gardens burst with vibrant hues in spring and summer, the true art of landscape design lies in creating a dynamic palette that transitions beautifully, offering visual delight even in the colder months. Here’s how to achieve continuous color in your Colorado landscape.

Understanding Colorado's Seasons and Plant Choices

Successful year-round color starts with selecting plants specifically suited to Colorado's climate, considering their seasonal attributes:

• Spring: Emergent greens, early blooms, and fresh foliage.

• Summer: Peak flowering, lush growth, and vibrant accents.

• Autumn: Rich fall foliage, late-season blooms, and berries.

• Winter: Architectural interest from evergreens, colorful bark, persistent berries, and structural forms.

Strategic Plant Palettes for Year-Round Appeal

To ensure continuous interest, layer your landscape with plants that offer diverse seasonal contributions.

Spring Awakening

Plant Type	Examples	Seasonal Contribution
Early Bloomers	Crocus, Daffodils, Tulips	First pops of color after winter
Flowering Shrubs	Forsythia, Lilac	Fragrant blooms, vibrant hues
Perennials	Creeping Phlox, Bleeding Heart	Groundcover color, delicate flowers

Summer Splendor

Plant Type	Examples	Seasonal Contribution
Perennials	Coneflower, Lavender, Daylily, Rudbeckia	Long-lasting blooms, diverse textures
Ornamental Grasses	Karl Foerster Reed Grass, Little Bluestem	Movement, texture, subtle color
Flowering Shrubs	Hydrangea, Spirea	Abundant flowers, structural elements

Autumnal Glory

Plant Type	Examples	Seasonal Contribution
Deciduous Trees	Aspen, Oak, Maple	Brilliant yellow, orange, and red foliage
Shrubs with Fall Color	Serviceberry, Burning Bush	Fiery hues, often with berries
Late-Season Perennials	Aster, Sedum 'Autumn Joy'	Sustained blooms, architectural seed heads

Winter Interest

Plant Type	Examples	Seasonal Contribution
Evergreens	Ponderosa Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce, Juniper	Structural form, year-round green
Deciduous Shrubs/Trees with Bark Interest	Red Twig Dogwood, River Birch	Striking red or peeling bark
Plants with Persistent Berries	Cotoneaster, Winterberry Holly	Bright red berries against snow
Ornamental Grasses	Feather Reed Grass (dried)	Golden stalks, movement in wind

Design Principles for Continuous Color

Beyond individual plant selection, thoughtful design principles are crucial:

1. Layering: Combine plants of different heights and forms (trees, shrubs, perennials, groundcovers) to create depth and ensure interest at various levels.

2. Evergreen Foundation: Use evergreens as the "bones" of your landscape. Their consistent color provides a backdrop against which seasonal changes can shine.

3. Repetition: Repeat certain plants or color schemes throughout your garden to create cohesion and a sense of flow.

4. Consider Hardscaping: Integrate hardscaping elements like flagstone patios, decorative boulders, or pergolas. These provide year-round structure and visual interest that isn't dependent on foliage.

5. Vary Textures: Mix fine-textured plants (like ornamental grasses) with bold-leaved plants (like hostas) for dynamic contrast, especially important when blooms are absent.

6. Focal Points: Strategically place elements that draw the eye, such as a sculptural evergreen, a colorful bark tree, or a piece of garden art, to provide interest in every season.

Maintenance for Lasting Vibrancy

• Proper Watering: Ensure all plants, especially evergreens, receive adequate water through dry periods, even in winter.

• Pruning: Prune at the appropriate time for each plant to encourage healthy growth and optimal flowering.

• Soil Health: Maintain rich, well-draining soil to support robust plant growth throughout the year.

Creating a Colorado landscape with year-round color is an investment that continuously rewards with beauty and vitality. By carefully selecting plants for their seasonal attributes and applying sound design principles, your outdoor space can be a source of enjoyment in every season.

For a personalized consultation and to explore how thoughtful landscape design can benefit your home, contact us today. We can be reached by filling out via this form or by calling at 720-740-0716. You can also schedule an in person meeting at your property, or a video call.