To create a year-round garden here in the Midwest you have to think in terms of structure, interest, and planting successions.

1. Give your garden "good bones" What works well is structure, a trellis, or archway, a bench, or large shrubs. A trellis, arborvitae, with hydrangea or a berried shrub would work well together. 

2. Contrasting foliage and textures are important to maintain interest. Like the pointed shape of limelight hydrangea with grass-like miscanthus and delicate flowers like astilbe or a row of front flowers like catmint.

3. Keep it simplified and unified. Pick a few colors, like white, pink, and blue. Stick with those colors unless going for a fun cottage look then all bets are off. But to keep a clean organized look it's best to go with three colors and pick from there.

4. Make sure the plants are in your hardy zone or be prepared to protect and haul plants into a safer wintering place. Most garden centers in your area will stock plants that are grown for your area. Here at Breezy Hill Nursery we plant and grow the main portion of our stock so you can always be sure to get what you need for your Midwest area. While it would be great to grow white jasmine here like they do in California it just doesn't do well in our harsh winters. In SE WI and upper IL, we are in zones 5a & 5b.

5. Create a layered look. Pick your trees and shrubs first, they resist being replanted but most perennials can be divided and moved.  Taller in back, mid-height, and then low growing plants in front create a nice structure and pleasing contrast. In this beautiful English Border Garden, the layers are visible. It creates pleasing vignettes for your eye.

6. For year-round interest keep grasses and larger plants and trim in the spring.  It gives height and something to look at all winter long.

Here is a list of blooming plants by season.