landscaping
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) Hydrangeas are long-standing garden favorites, with their lush green leaves and long-lasting mophead flowers. To ensure you get a pink-flowering shrub, choose a plant already in bloom — and try to plant in alkaline soil to maintain the pink-colored blooms. Bloom season: Summer to fall Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 28.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9) Origin: Japan Water requirement: Regular Light requirement: Does best in partial shade or full sun in the morning When to plant: Set out plants in spring to early summer or in fall
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) Wild geranium, with its delicate-looking flowers and deeply cut, ornamental foliage, thrives in woodland gardens and deep shade. This North American native reaches 1 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide. It blooms later in the season than many other spring bloomers and provides nectar and pollen to visiting pollinators. Bloom season: Spring Cold tolerance: Hardy to minus 42 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 41.1 degrees Celsius (zones 2 to 9) Origin: From Manitoba, Canada, south to Oklahoma and eastward to Quebec in the north and Georgia in the south Water requirement: Medium to dry soil Light requirement: Partial sun to shade When to plant: Spring or fall
Great Plant Combinations The Lochinch butterfly bush joins in next, showing off endless fragrant lavender, panicle-type flowers while its silvery foliage becomes a striking backdrop for the well-known Lucifer crocosmia. When these begin to fade, there is a large group of Joe pye weed ready to take center stage with their burgundy stems and flat rose-colored flower heads. These will continue to bloom with the tall verbena until the very end of summer.
A stand of scarlet Lucifer crocosmia is an unforgettable sight in any summer garden. Arching stems of brilliant red flowers seem to explode from the swordlike foliage in summer, while hummingbirds vie for the best position like fighter pilots. Botanical name: Crocosmia 'Lucifer' Common names: Lucifer montbretia, Lucifer crocosmia Benefits: Attracts hummingbirds Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA climate zones 5 to 9) Water requirement: Low Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: 4 feet tall and wide Seasonal interest: Summer When to plant: Plant bulbs in spring; plants can also be planted in spring or fall.
This planting could have been a little too flat had it only consisted of a pastel palette of blue and white agapanthus and purple tall verbena (Verbena bonariensis), but the burst of bright red Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ adds contrast to the whole scene. The strong red also helps the quieter pastel colors recede, giving the planting more depth.
general common name of the red perennial is 'Montbretia' the botanical name is ' Crocosmia x . Shown dark red species is Crocosmia 'Lucifer'. Plant behind lavender for stunning combination. Choose a bright bloom for a focal point, such as Crocosmia, Oriental Poppies, or Butterfly Weed. Then combine with a cool purple plant such as Lavender, Nepeta or Russian Sage.
Scent of spring. For a delicious fragrance when you pass over your home’s threshold, cluster potted bulbs chosen for their scent by your main entrance. Hyacinths and paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) are among the most fragrant and widely available. Water requirement: Moderate to high Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Golden Jackpot Weigela (Weigela florida ‘MonRigney’) The flashy pairing of magenta flowers and brilliant golden leaves sets Golden Jackpot apart from other weigela. Add to cottage-style and traditional gardens, where the vivid combination will stand out in border plantings or when placed on either side of a gate. Even in full sun and in the heat of summer, the leaves hold their brilliant color without fading. The bell-shaped flowers bloom in mid-spring, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9) Water requirement: Moderate; water regularly in extreme heat Light requirement: Partial to full sun Mature size: 4 to 6 feet tall and wide Note: Plants listed in the story are all new to garden centers in 2018 and may need to be special-ordered through a nursery.
Martha’s Vineyard Bigleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hortmavi’) With long-lasting pink blooms and a compact plant form, this hydrangea variety is a useful new addition to Monrovia’s Seaside Serenade collection. The small size makes Martha’s Vineyard a suitable border or container plant. The deeply saturated color of the mop-head blooms is not influenced by soil pH like some other hydrangeas. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 31.7 degrees Celsius (zones 4 to 9) Water requirement: Moderate to high; keep soil evenly moist Light requirement: Partial shade to filtered sun Mature size: 3½ feet tall and 3 feet wide
Mountain Frost Pink PomPom Cheddar Pinks (Dianthus x hybrida) With sweet-smelling flowers on a small mounding plant, Mountain Frost Pink PomPom makes a charming addition to rock gardens and sunny borders. The rose-colored flowers open in early spring, bloom until autumn and require almost no maintenance for the season (cutting back spent stems encourages more blooms). Mix with other low-water, sun-loving garden plants like myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites, zones 5 to 9), lantana, sea thrift (Armeria maritima, zones 4 to 8) and mixed succulents. It needs quick-draining soil, and its flowers attract butterflies. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 26.1 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9) Water requirement: Moderate; low once established Light requirement: Full sun Mature size: 6 to 8 inches tall and 10 to 12 inches wide
Highlight a pathway. This is such an easy idea to try at home. In fall plant large pots (lightweight pots are best) with layers of a single tulip variety and allow them to grow in a sunny spot out of view. When they are all well budded and beginning to bloom, bring them out to flank wide pathways. For a formal, structured look, place the pots directly opposite one another; this look is especially effective on steps, such as those shown here. You can still create this looks even if you did not remember to plant tulip bulbs in fall. Nurseries and garden centers are well stocked in spring with pots of blooming bulbs. In many instances you can simply drop the nursery container into something more decorative at home, adding moss to disguise the top. It is also possible to gently replant these bulbs into larger containers.
Winterberry is a treat that all sorts of birds love to gnaw on; it will keep them fed during the winter and give you brilliant red berries to admire. All of the suggested plants in this story are a win-win; the birds will get a steady supply of food during the coldest months, and your landscape will get some beautiful winter interest.
Here the use of bright yellow garden furniture brings to life an otherwise traditionally designed and planted courtyard garden. The muted blue of the squares of catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) are brought to life with the overplanting of deep pink roses and Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’, but the touch of yellow in the furniture really completes the picture.
Low growing blue plant is likely Lithodora, the taller plant is likely some sort of campanula
Get rid of grass-This technique uses layers of cardboard or newspaper as well as a thick layer of organic mulch to deprive the lawn of light and water. The grass will die in about two months, and you can dig right through the mulch and newspaper and plant in the soil.
2. Plant native nectar sources for adult monarchs. Here in Nebraska some of their favorite wildflowers include: New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) Meadow Blazingstar (Liatris ligulistylis) Rough Blazingstar (Liatris aspera) Ironweed (Vernonia spp) Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium spp) Sunflower Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago rigida) Coneflower (Echinacea spp)
1. Plant milkweed in your landscape. There are over 140 species native to North America — for shade, for sun, for dry soil, for wet soil. See which species are native to your locale and browse places that may sell milkweed and other native plants.
Texture may also be introduced through plants, such as this Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ (zones 5 to 9). Its billowy texture conjures images of sitting in a jet, looking down upon layers of clouds, feeling majestic. Artists know how to elicit certain feelings through the thoughtful use of certain plants.
The artist’s eye is drawn to shapes. The successful artist knows how to celebrate shapes by employing the technique of juxtaposition. Notice how the disparate shapes of the boulders, the birch trees and the retaining wall in this garden are shown to best advantage by the use of similar colors and textures. Much of the dramatic impact would be lost if the birches were replaced with magnolias or oaks. In addition, the plant palette supports the strength of this vignette because it has been kept in tones of green. The introduction of red or blue foliage would undermine the power of this scene.
appealing because the color palette is limited to hot colors: reds, oranges and yellows. The introduction of a cool color, such as blue, would lessen the dramatic impact of this vignette.
Gardens like the Denver Botanic Garden, shown here, have planned their gardens for winter interest. See how the frozen grasses frame the crimson seed heads and naked sumac tree?
“These winter scenes were carefully orchestrated to be just that — scenes, not just fleeting moments. Each vignette had been deliberately staged to add depth and interest to the winter garden.”
Japanese Maple- Acer palmatum 'Iijima sunago'. Evergreens are an essential component of any 4 season landscape. From dwarf pine trees, including Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii 'Thunderhead', hardy to -20°F) and dwarf Siberian pine (Pinus pumila 'Blue Dwarf', hardy to -30°F), to prostrate forms of deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara 'Snow Sprite', hardy to 5°F and Cedrus deodara 'Feelin' Blue') and mounding evergreen shrubs such as the multihued Gulf Stream heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica 'Gulf Stream', hardy to -10°F), this design promises winter beauty.
Looking for something with a more mod vibe? A row of small trees dramatically pruned into a flat espalier is a clever and dramatic way to top a wall or fence when space is at a premium.
On a smaller scale, plants can work in conjunction with fences or walls to expand their height. This may be done with small, ornamental trees or large shrubs. Place them as needed for screening small spaces. Japanese maple (Acer palmatum, zones 5 to 8, shown here) serviceberry (Amelanchier spp), cornelian cherry (Cornus mas, zones 5 to 8), lilac (Syringa spp) and viburnum are a few candidates for this application.
Rhus typhina 'Tiger Eyes' -Sumac
serviceberry-you can keep it pruned to minimize the spread
serviceberry-For those of you who balked at the spread of the tree, don't give up on the serviceberry. If you're interested in a more compact and uniform version, look into Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Robin Hill.' This hybrid grows more upright in a tighter conical shape. While you lose the spread-out sculptural aspects of the Amelanchier arborea, you can use it in a tighter space and enjoy its other attributes. Another difference is that this hybrid's flowers are a soft pink as opposed to white.
Serviceberry-Light requirement: Partial to full sun Mature size: 10–25 feet high; 10–15 feet spread. It can grow up to 40 feet, but this is uncommon, especially in cultivation.
Distinguishing traits. Early spring brings stunning white flowers in loose racemes, which transform the canopy into an ethereal cloud-like form. The flowers have five delicate petals and a pleasing subtle fragrance. The flowers are followed by berries that go from green to red to dark purplish blue and attract wildlife.
The downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) is an ornamental tree that changes dramatically yet gracefully with the seasons, providing year-round interest. Even when stripped of leaves during winter, its stunning gray bark and multi-stemmed sculptural form make it a garden standout. This plant is native to the Eastern United States and can be found from Maine to Iowa and down to northern Florida. While this guide centers around the common serviceberry, there are other native forms and their cultivars to choose from. So get to know it, fall in love with it and then explore your local nurseries for the best specimen for your landscape.
Apple serviceberry. Amelanchier x grandiflora, or apple serviceberry is, as James Drzewiecki of Gingko Leaf Studio in Wisconsin describes, a perfect tree for smaller suburban yards. "It won’t get so large that it casts a ton of shade over the entire lawn, like large shade trees do, but it is large enough to be in scale with most average-sized homes," he says. "Plus, the purple berries make a marvelous jam." USDA zones: 4 to 9, Height: 20 to 25 feet Color: Green leaves in summer; turns orange-red in fall; deciduous Light requirement: Full to partial sun Water requirement: Regular
Bloodgood Japanese maple. Sandy Ayers of The Garden Route Company in California loves the ruby-red tones of Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’, or Bloodgood Japanese maple. USDA zones: 5 to 8 Height: 15 to 25 feet Color: Deep red in spring and summer, turns scarlet in fall; deciduous Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Water requirement: Moderate to regular
Mow less and ditch the chemicals. Fire your lawnmower, landscape service or pool service. Loud lawn-care equipment contributes to hearing loss, restricts blood flow (which can lead to hypertension), pollutes the air at many times the rate of driving a car, and leads to millions of spilled gallons of gasoline each year — not to mention the 23 million tons of lawn clippings that go into landfills that could be turned into compost. Mow twice a month (less in the heat of summer) and let the grass grow a bit longer — if you do, the roots will grow deeper, and the height will shade the ground, increasing soil moisture. Consider lessening your impact by using an electric mower or even a reel mower (the latter has come a long way since the good old days). Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are toxic to wildlife, pets, kids and adults, and may lead to autoimmune diseases, birth defects and learning disabilities. Avoid them.
Plant insect-drawing perennials. While you're choosing berry-producing plants, don't forget about perennial flowers that draw insects (which are also the number-one food source for birds). Out here in the eastern Plains and Midwest, a variety of adapted native choices work best: liatris, Joe Pye Weed, coneflower, sunflower, mountain mint, aster, coreopsis and milkweed.
Stay away from dyed mulches, which can leach bad chemicals into your soil. Don't buy cypress mulch, either; it's often the product of clear-cut young forests that are never replenished.
My favorite color in the garden is orange, and I grow Mexican sunflower every year from seed early in the season to be sure I have flowers to cut in August and September. Tithonia rotundifolia 'Torch' is a big boy. It grows up to 6 feet tall on strong, branching stems and makes a strong presence in the garden with ornamental grasses. Its unusual hollow stems are softly furred (pubescent). Cut branches of purple ninebark (Physocarpus 'Diablo'), Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and yellow-orange Helenium look great with this.
Dead nettle (Lamium purpureum, zones 3 to 8) can spread in dry shade, in rocky outcroppings, under pines, in dense woods and even in some shade. It can be effective at managing erosion, as it spreads from rooting stems. I've seen this low spreader find its way through wood lots and even hold its own against stilt grass (Microstegium vimineum).
Bee balm (Monarda didyma, zones 4 to 9) has become a favorite functional perennial of mine. I have used this plant to battle latent weed seed spikes of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense, zones 3 to 7) with little maintenance.
(Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies', zones 3 to 8) was described by a friend as bulletproof. This plant spreads and seeds out into the garden easily in a variety of soils and explodes in the fall with vivid purple, just as most other plants are beginning to take on their mellow fall colors.
rock garden
Mosses like Irish moss (Sagina subulata, zones 4 to 8) also form interesting mounds that bloom with tiny flowers in midsummer.
Some of the larger ninebarks, such as this 'Diablo,' make dramatic backdrops for an array of summer-blooming annuals. Here, 'Diablo' (in the background) shares the spotlight with a pot of 'Alabama Sunset' coleus (zones 10 to 11) and creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia, zones 4 to 8). The use of brightly colored foliage in front of 'Diablo' makes for a season-long show that is not to be missed.
Creeping lilyturf (Liriope spp, zones 5 to 9), shown here, has a lush, grass-like look and is also evergreen. Additional choices — depending on your garden's growing conditions — might include periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus, zones 4 to 9), creeping thyme (Thymus praecox, zones 4 to 9) or snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum, zones 3 to 9)
Plants like rhododendrons, hostas, ferns, forest grasses and spring ephemerals will grow well in the shade under these mature trees.
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