A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion Landscape trials and triumphs Year Round Color in my flower bed?

Last year I made my first attempt at a flower bed out front. It was a huge success even though it was somewhat short lived. My only complaint is that the blooms for the most part started in May and were done and over with by early July.

What are some things I can plant that would bloom at different times? Maybe even a couple of things that would still be pretty in fall or early winter. I'm in zone 8b.
Right now I have two rose bushes (one yellow and one bright pink), gladiolus, and Lilies (my favorite!). Obviously I'm all about bulbs and things that will come back yearly.

What kinds of plants bring color to your garden throughout the year???

One is Zinnias...throw the seeds down and they'll be up in no time and last until winter. I've actually had snow on my zinnias before here in Kentucky. And they come in every color you can imagine.

zinnias are great for gardens

I agree .......it is 6:am I can get right on here..But not in day hours? Did you shut my daylight off, Cindy?
dodge

Nicotiana - flowering tobacco. It lasts forever, smells fantastic, needs no attention, and will reseed itself with abandon (maybe too much!). I didn't look up to see if it will be OK in your heat.

8b is warmer than here so some of these may need to be chilled during the winter. But for early spring there are snow drops, crocuses (both spring and fall varities), daffodils, tulips, iris, And then to pick it up again in the fall are mums, and some types of lilies, you might be able to use coleus for their colored leaves if you have a shady location. Or if you have a moist location the Tropicanna cannas with their striped leaves can bring color even before they bloom in the summer. And everygreen shrubs can add nice architectural shape plus give winter color. Holly berries make nice winter color and great holiday decorations but it is an agressive plant that needs constant attention to keep it from traveling throughout your property.

I'm letting winter jasmine grow in one of my beds but I'm not sure you would want to use it, it is another agressive plant. Witchhazel if it will grow in your zone blooms in winter.