That's smart to take photos and keep notes on each area. I have just started taking pictures of my gardens. As for year around interest, I usually make sure there is summer bloom, as that is the longest season for us. Spring: Crab apples blooming are beautiful. (Fall berries) Coreposis blooms for me spring and fall. Azaleas that bloom spring and fall. Dwarf indian hawthornes. (Fall berries) Jasmine climbing on an arbor. I've recently planted some dianthus. I've ordered some muscari bulbs for early spring. Summer: Roses (I have lots), canna, mock rose, salvia, liriope, hosta, clethra, hydrangea, mandevilla. Fall: Sedum, asters, and some listed above. I keep saying I'm going to plant some mums, but I just don't know where!!! Winter: I always make sure I have some evergreens in my beds (a lesson I learned the hard way). My evergreens include dwarf indian hawthorne (has berries), dwarf buford holly (has berries), sky pencil holly, boxwoods, gardenias, liriope, jasmine. I have a couple of yews but the 109 degree heat really took a toll on them and I'm not sure they're going to make it. Of course, these are not all in the same bed, but I try to think of different bloom seasons when I'm planning a new bed and then tweak it as I see what needs different things (like the muscari bulbs I just ordered). As summer winds down, this is a great subject to be thinking about.

a lot of questions but few answers on this thread The thread is 6 years old. Most veteran responders do not pay much attention to threads that stale. New questions should generate the start of a new thread. Some of the leaves are turning red. Why? Some varieties do produce very burnished or ruddy new growth and some will redden in response to cold weather. Otherwise, red foliage generally indicates the plants have issues......drainage, leaf spot or other fungal infection or the leaves are just dead. I know the berries are non toxic to humans but how about pets? Plants that are non-toxic to humans are generally (but not always) non-toxic to dogs and cats as well. If your vet cannot find documentation of toxicity, I doubt there's much concern. The berries are actually edible when cooked and can be used to make jam. Probably much too tart or bitter to eat fresh but dog taste buds are strange :-)

Oddly, mine did not flower at all this spring. Weird. I wonder if it is the weather. No rain. Maybe none of them are getting enough water. I do have the same issue with the leaves turning red and falling off.

Meyerk9, thanks for your input! Which kind of Indian Hawthorn do you own? I would be interested in one with pink flowers ... Are they as hardy as the white? Don't understand why I read about several people in Dallas, TX who thought the sun was frying theirs. Maybe it's a weaker variety they planted? And am I right that azaleas can't take that much sun - not even the double bloom? Greg Bradley ... never knew any of CA could got that hot! Makes me feel a little better. I was beginning to think no place got as hot as it does here!