My Favourite Plants for Year-Round Interest in a British Garden

All-season planting design by Hook Garden Design.

One of the questions I get asked most often is: “How can I make my garden look good all year?” And it’s a good one — because a well-designed garden shouldn’t only peak for two weeks in June. It should feel alive, changing and beautiful from one season to the next.

Over time, I’ve built a list of trusted plants I return to again and again — species that hold their own in dry spells, perform in cold weather, and offer either structure, movement, or colour long after their neighbours have packed it in.

Here are seven of my personal favourites — plants that work hard in real gardens, especially here in the East Midlands climate.

1. Stipa tenuissima (Mexican Feather Grass)

This is one of my absolute staples — light, graceful, and incredibly drought-tolerant. The soft, blonde plumes sway in the breeze and catch the light beautifully. I love tucking it between paving or letting it billow out at the front of a border. It looks good for months and requires almost no maintenance.

2. Amelanchier lamarckii (Juneberry)

If you’re only going to plant one small tree, this is a fantastic option. In early spring, it’s covered in star-like white blossom. Then come edible berries in summer, and finally, a wash of rust-orange foliage in autumn. It’s compact enough for smaller gardens and thrives in most soil types.

3. Eryngium planum (Sea Holly)

For structure and a bit of wild drama, you can’t beat sea holly. It thrives in hot, dry spots and adds sculptural texture to any planting scheme. The silvery-blue flowers look especially striking against dark green foliage or gravel.

4. Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)

Another pollinator magnet, yarrow produces broad, flat flower heads in soft pastel tones — or bold colours, depending on the variety. It’s brilliant in full sun, copes with drought, and adds a relaxed, meadowy feel to borders. It also has great longevity and repeat flowering potential if cut back.

5. Sarcococca confusa (Sweet Box)

Every garden needs winter interest, and this evergreen shrub delivers it quietly but brilliantly. It has glossy, deep green foliage and small, highly fragrant white flowers that appear in the coldest months — often when nothing else is blooming. I like using it near paths and entrances for a surprise burst of scent.

6. Miscanthus sinensis (Maiden Grass)

If you want drama and movement in a garden through autumn and into winter, maiden grass is your friend. It forms upright clumps and throws out fluffy seed heads that catch the low sun beautifully. It holds its shape even after frost, giving great winter structure.

7. Sedum 'Matrona' (Stonecrop)

Sedums are famously low-maintenance, but ‘Matrona’ is particularly elegant. Its dusky pink flowers, bronze stems and purple-tinged leaves add depth and contrast to summer borders. It also looks great left standing in winter when the flower heads dry out and catch frost.

Why Year-Round Planting Matters

When designing gardens, I’m always thinking beyond the high summer “wow moment.” I want your garden to look interesting in January, April, and November — not just June.

Year-round planting means using a thoughtful mix of structure, seasonal highlights, movement, and repetition. The result is a garden that changes, surprises, and continues to bring joy even in the quieter months.

If you’re not sure where to start, choosing just a few of the plants above will instantly help your garden feel more alive throughout the year.

“The best gardens aren’t static. They shift and evolve, offering something different each time you walk through them.”

Want a Planting Plan That Works Year-Round?

Whether you’re overhauling an existing garden or starting fresh, I can help you create a planting scheme that looks good in every season — and thrives in the British climate.

📩 Contact me today or visit the Services page to learn more about my tailored garden design process.