Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another edition of THE PENCIL CASE!

Each issue invites a fresh way of thinking about garden design and graphics. This week, we’re discussing a question from one of my readers (Thanks Mary Jo!):

Should plants bloom in succession throughout the seasons, or all at once?

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My thoughts: either approach can work. The right choice depends on what you want your garden to do and when you want it to shine.

Let’s dig in. ♥︎

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The planting on the top right was designed by Kelly Norris at the Blank Performing Arts Center in Indianola, Iowa.

BLOOM SUCCESSION: CONTINUOUS INTEREST

Designing for bloom succession means planning for flowers to appear from early spring through fall (in the colder parts of the world). Different plants take turns blooming, creating a garden that changes gradually over time.

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This approach keeps the garden visually active for the longest possible season. There is always something coming into bloom as something else fades, which prevents the garden from feeling finished too early in the year.

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A succession garden also supports pollinators more consistently. Instead of a single burst of nectar followed by scarcity, flowers provide resources across the entire growing season.

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The experience is subtle rather than dramatic. Its a garden that rewards seasonal awareness.

ALL-AT-ONCE: PEAK PERFORMANCE

The opposite strategy is to design for a single visual peak by grouping plants that bloom at the same time.

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Rather than spreading color across months, this approach concentrates impact. When everything flowers together, the effect is unified and bold.

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This can be especially effective in spaces used heavily during a specific season, such as a patio enjoyed in midsummer, a spring entrance garden, or a property occupied only part of the year.

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Outside the bloom period, strong plant form and texture carry the design.

A BALANCED APPROACH

Gardens can also use both strategies.

One area may unfold gradually through the seasons, while another builds toward a dramatic moment. A front yard might provide continuous interest for daily viewing, while a seating area peaks when the garden is used most. Designing this way allows you to create focal moments without sacrificing seasonal longevity.

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The Takeaway

Neither method is inherently better. Succession blooming extends engagement and ecological value across the year. Same-season blooming creates impact.

The real question isn’t when plants should bloom.

It’s: When do you want the garden to matter most?

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Another thought to throw out there...what if you didn't depend on blooms to do all the heavy lifting? Next month inside our membership, The Garden Design Collective, we'll be exploring GREEN IN THE GARDEN, plus we'll be having a bootcamp later in the month to explore the basics of form, texture and color in the garden. Join our wait list to get all the updates.

LET'S DO THIS! 

If you'd like an umbrella view of design (both space and plants) we'd love to have you join us for our spring STRUCTURE + SOUL masterclasses. Sign up for one here!

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OR perhaps you'd like a simple design tip delivered to your inbox each day, then check out the 10x10 Garden Design Tips Email Series. 

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If you know someone that needs design inspiration, please feel free to share this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe right here. I also keep a VAULT of past issues in this secret location.

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Let your garden reveal its moments to you…whether in bloom or in quiet green. ♥︎

Warmly, 

Lisa 

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP

Thank you to Mandy Orgler for designing the lovely graphics in all these newsletters.