GARDEN
How to use it. Plant along winding pathways or next to large boulders to appreciate its vibrant color and upright stems to their fullest extent. Sandpaper verbena is also suitable for growing on slopes and will provide a summer carpet of purple flowers. Plant in street medians, where it will thrive despite the limited soil space and hot, reflected sun.
The deep purple flowers are one of this verbena’s most attractive elements. Clusters of three to five 1-inch flowers appear spring through fall, held aloft on rigid stems. Both bees and butterflies are attracted to the blossoms. Prune sandpaper verbena to the ground in early spring, and new growth will soon follow. Severe pruning can also be done once or twice in summer to control its size as well as to increase flowering and stimulate growth of attractive new foliage.
Distinguishing traits. Clusters of deep purple flowers are held up on stiff stems over dark green foliage. Sandpaper verbena’s leaves are 2 to 4 inches long and have a rough texture much like sandpaper. The foliage is deciduous in winter but grows back rapidly from underground stems (rhizomes) in spring. While this verbena thrives in hot climates, it also handles cold winters down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. A layer of mulch will help it to handle sub-freezing winter temperatures.
Lilies. Of the many, many lilies you can grow in the garden, hybrids of L. regale and L. longiflorum produce the most beautiful scent. Some of the newer hybrids are less fragrant but easier to grow. You need a rich, well-drained soil and plenty of moisture to grow lilies well, ideally with cool shade around the roots and sun on the flowers. Grow them in pots if your garden doesn’t suit their needs.
. Spring bulbs. The sweet scent of freesias (seen here), narcissus and hyacinth reminds us that spring is on its way even when trees are still bare. Freesia grows best in warmer regions, while narcissus and hyacinth are frost tolerant. In small gardens, spring bulbs are best in pots so they can be moved out of sight while the foliage dies back (an essential process to ensure good flowering the following season).
Lilac. The sweet, old-fashioned perfume of lilac is rarely found in modern gardens, particularly in warmer areas. But lilacs are still common in traditional gardens in cooler regions. These frost-hardy trees can vary in fragrance, so choose plants when in flower. Lilac prefers a moist soil and will flower well after a hard frost.
Plant selection: All the plants are lower than the height of the split-rail fence; allowing the fence to be glimpsed down the entire sidewalk gives the illusion of one continuous border. Each plant typically has a mounding habit, creating a sense of uniformity. Lavender (Lavandula spp) and sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Sedum 'Herbstfreude') are planted throughout these pocket gardens as well as in the adjacent communal garden areas. Bronze-colored coral bells (Heuchera hyb.) and daylilies (Hemerocallis spp) are also used
Add to ideabook by Exteriorscapes llc 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
Bear's breeches (Acanthus mollis, zones 7 to 10) grows in huge clumps on rhizomes, which makes for very easy division. It has grand purple flowers and dark, leathery foliage. These plants create bold ground covers when set in drifts and can keep the most tenacious weeds at bay. Acanthus hungaricus (zones 5 to 10) is a close cousin and just as impressive.
Lily turf (Liriope muscari 'Big Blue', zones 5 to 10) has filled the racks of many retail outlets. But the species I find truly effective is Liriope spicata (zones 4 to 10). This plant slowly spreads across the ground plane and creates masses so thick, I have found myself laying in its comfort with my little ones. Go ahead and try it; the plant won't mind in the least! Summer flowers are a bonus with this exceptional plant.
Gooseneck loosestrife (Lysmachia cletheroides, zones 3 to 8) is misunderstood — or, dare I say, hated — by many gardeners who want to maintain eclectic gardens. This plant is a tremendous ground cover and will need to be planted among other strong plants to help keep it in check. If you want to transform a large area into a garden, this is an amazing plant to use.
Add to ideabook by Barbara Pintozzi Yes, another aster for you to consider. I can't say enough about these plants. Tartarian aster (Aster tartaricus 'Jindai', zones 4 to 8) has become more available recently. Discovered by Rick Darke and Skip March in the Jin Dai Botanic Garden in Japan, it can grow taller than 5 feet. It also spreads via rhizomes, making it a worthy foe to most weeds.
Raydon's favorite (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.
The screen nudges you off the driveway and around the side, down a granite flagstone path to the private garden.
Out front, a foot-deep space at the side of the driveway did not offer much room for plants, so Sanchez and Harrison whipped up sketches for this screen of plants in clay pots. The two design indoor furniture at their firm, so this was an interesting departure. The pots are filled with succulents that don't require much attention.
A narrow flagstone path through lush plantings turns a sideyard into a magical walkway.
A relative newcomer to the shade gardening scene compared to painted fern, 'Jack Frost' brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost', zones 3 to 8) is destined to become a classic in its own right. Big-leaved brunnera grows into a proper clump, 1½ feet high and wide, and is a gem for all kinds of shady sites, dry shade included. It blends seamlessly with the usual hostas and ferns for shade but brings something more sophisticated to the table. Brunnera blooms with blue, forget-me-not-like flowers in spring. Private Comment
For a less common silver in sun, try pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea, zones 3 to 8). A native of much of North America, it thrives in dry sites with poor soil and blooms in a vision of white above silver leaves in late summer to fall. Plants grow to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, and spread a bit if they're happy. True to the name, its flowers are excellent for drying.
Back in a shadier spot, you may recognize what's become a new garden classic, Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum, zones 3 to 8). Though this fern is dazzling in silver, it emerges in spring a vivid deep purple — a bonus by any standard. Painted fern prefers average to moist, well-drained woodland soil, but it will take moderately dry shade just fine or a bit of sun if the soil is damp. This one grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, and it's a winner in almost any garden.
Back in the sun, here's one of my all-time favorites: 'Helene von Stein' lamb's ear (Stachys byzantina 'Helene von Stein', zones 4 to 9). I can't say enough good things about 'Helene.' From a couple of gallon pots, I've divided this plant enough to produce an army in my garden after only a few years. 'Helene' is a drought-resistant beauty, 6 inches tall and 1 to 2 feet wide, good for average, well-drained soil and sun. (It can take some shade too.) 'Helene' has many names; you might find her sold as 'Big Ears' or 'Helen von Stein Zeppelin'. Most lamb's ears don't thrive in humid climates, but if you want to try one, 'Helene' is your best bet.
How about a stunner for shade? Look no further than 'Silver Shimmers' lungwort (Pulmonaria 'Silver Shimmers', zones 4 to 9). The neighbors may think you're decorating your garden with strips of aluminum foil. This plant thrives in woodland conditions, with moist, rich, well-drained soil in shade, and grows 1 to 2 feet tall and wide. Give it a site with good air circulation, as some Pulmonaria are prone to mildew, though I've never seen it on this variety. It blooms blue in spring.
Opposites attract when it comes to color contrast. Pair sandpaper verbena with angelita daisy (Tetraneuris acaulis), golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii) or Mexican honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera) for striking color contrast.
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