Succession Planting

Perennial plants have a season of growth bloom and decay and each one is different. Specific combinations of plants can cover each other's weaknesses. 

The following diagrams explore some combinations I'll consider using in this design.

Phlox and foam flower fade in the summer and go dormant in the winter. But Asian Jasmine can cover their dead stems and keep the garden looking fresh and green in their "off" season.

Daffodils need their leaves to remain intact until they shrivel naturally in order to charge up its bulbs for next year's bloom. (especially in light shade) Ferns hide the decaying daffodil leaves and make a nice show all summer.

Spanish bluebells bloom late spring, wild ginger which is evergreen can take their place in the summer or ferns may be added.

Woodland phlox or Virginia bluebells make a nice combination under Sweetspire. An evergreen ground cover should be added here. Wild Ginger or Asian Jasmine or Spurge...? 

Garden Phlox hides the withering stalks of Woodland Phlox as it blooms in the summer. Both are hidden by jasmine in the winter.

Spider lily is unique in it's timing. leave in the winter, flowers in the fall. Very useful for succession combinations and very hardy in the south.

The seasons of growth for Solomon's seal and arum are very well timed in our area. Arum leaves appear in the fall and persist well into spring. Arum is claimed to be invasive in other areas but I find it very well behaved with practically no spreading in 20 years here in Georgia. (I would actually like to see more spreading, they get larger but don't multiply. Maybe animals are eating the seeds)