It’s that magical time of year when everything feels possible in the garden. Whether you're refreshing a container, planning your next garden day trip, or finally tackling that "black spot situation" on your roses, this season is all about movement—of color, ideas, and maybe even a little travel.
This week, we’re spotlighting plants that work hard in every season (and every container), plus a can't-miss webinar to help your garden look good all year long. So grab your gloves—or your travel bag—and let’s get growing!
Small Evergreen Shrubs, Big Impact
Think evergreens are just towering trees and oversized shrubs? Think again. These 21 small-but-mighty evergreen shrubs are perfect for adding year-round structure and a pop of personality—without taking over your garden beds. Whether you're after tidy mounds, colorful foliage, or textural charm, there's a compact evergreen for just about every spot.
Plus, these little gems play an important role in gardens that look good in every season.
Designing a Garden That Shines All Year Long
What if your garden could turn heads in every season—not just during peak bloom? Garden designer Rebecca Sweet shares her secrets for creating a landscape full of color, texture, and structure no matter the month. From evergreens and winter berries to hardscape and layered planting strategies, this guide will help you build a garden that looks just as good in January as it does in June. (Pictured: 6BC Botanical Garden, East Village, NY. Photo by: Rebecca Sweet)
👉 Want to take your year-round garden to the next level? Join us for our May webinar, where we’ll dig even deeper into designing a garden that looks great year-round—see the details below!
Black Spot on Roses: What to Do About It
Even the most beautiful gardens face a few battles—and for rose lovers, black spot is a classic culprit. This frustrating fungal disease spreads fast and can weaken your plants if left untreated. Learn how to spot it early, stop it from spreading, and keep your roses looking their best as part of a healthy, thriving garden all year long.
Want to create a pollinator-friendly garden—even if you're short on space? This idea board from Proven Winners highlights vibrant plants that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds—all perfectly suited for pots. It's the perfect boost to get your own planting ideas flowing, whether you're starting from scratch or refreshing your spring and summer planters.
For help turning those plant picks into a stunning container display, check out these ideas for creating a pollinator paradise.
From Plan to Planting:
Designing a Garden for Every Season
Webinar with Rebecca Sweet
Thursday, May 15 @ 6PM EDT*
*Can't join us live? All registrants will receive the recording.
In our next webinar, garden designer Rebecca Sweet will walk you through her process for designing a four-season garden from the ground up. Whether you're starting fresh or improving what you already have, you'll learn how to create structure, plan for continuous color, and choose plants that shine across all four seasons. Rebecca also shares tips for working with your site’s unique conditions—like shifting sun, wind, and wildlife—so your garden stays resilient and beautiful all year long.
Plan Your Next Garden Day Trip
Sunshine, blooms, and a little adventure? Yes, please! Now’s the perfect time to get outside and explore the beauty beyond your own backyard. Whether you’re looking for a quick garden escape close to home or dreaming of a longer getaway, this collection of self-guided garden day trips across the U.S. (and beyond!) is packed with inspiration. From mossy woodland walks to desert botanical wonders, there’s a garden destination waiting for you. Pictured: Red Butte Botanical Garden, Salt Lake City, UT. Photo by: Karen Chapman.
New Plants of the Week:
Stardiva® Fan Flower
Bring star power to your containers and borders with the Stardiva® series of Scaevola—the first of its kind with true star-shaped blooms. Available in shades of blue, pink, and white, these compact, mounding plants offer nonstop color and effortless charm from spring through frost. They’re heat and drought tolerant, self-cleaning (no deadheading!), and loved by pollinators. A gorgeous, no-fuss choice for sunny spots and hardworking container combos.
Learn more about how to grow fan flower.
I couldn’t resist adding a few pops of bright color to my garden over the weekend—spring is here, and the garden needed a wake-up call! I’m trying to hold off on too many plant purchases this early (easier said than done!).
If you’re also balancing the excitement of spring planting with the urge to buy all the plants, I get it! Hopefully, this week's thoughtful plant picks and design ideas will help us all make smart, beautiful choices!
Happy gardening!
—Linda
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