Expert: Tom Alonzo - 7/6/2009

Question
I live in Illinois (Chicagoland area) and I recently moved in to my fiance's home.  I'm trying to spruce up the landscaping, but I am a complete beginner gardener, so I'm hoping you could help me out.  

I LOVE the fall and all the colors of fall, but I of course want our yard to look great for summer as well.  What is your advice for effectively planning our landscaping so that it will look great for both summer and fall?  Do I alternate plants -- summer bloom, fall bloom, summer bloom, fall bloom?  I'm completely clueless on how all of this works.  Please help!

Answer
Hi Sheena,
Thanx for your question.  I'm really not a landscaper and I really don't have much experience with landscape design.  I know how to propagate and grow stuff but artistic?  I am not.  With that said, what I do know is that one wants constant color, change and structure in the garden/yard.  In the spring make sure you have the full compliment of spring flowers so that you start from March through May with crocus, daffodils, tulips and other spring bulbs.  You'll find a vast array at your area nurseries and DIYs that will be good for coming up after a freezing Chicago winter.  Next, you want summer perennials such as iris, peonies, daisies, rudbeckias, coreopsis, hollyhocks, hardy hibiscus, sage, roses.  Thirdly, you want autumn color in mums, asters, sedums, etc.  Plant ornamental grasses so you have structure and various levels of height in the summer, fall and something interesting to look at in the winter.  Use rocks, stones, pebbles, shrubs, small trees, vines, etc. to diversify the garden but don't make it too busy.  

Lastly, go to Home/Garden, Click on Landscaping and then Click on Landscaping and Design.  There are a number of experts there who will be able to advise you better than I.

I hope this helps.
Tom