Posts Tagged ‘Garden Design’

Daisies for long lasting color in your garden

There is nothing that speaks of summer than the iconic daisy.  Shasta Daisy Becky (Leucantheum superbum) which stands upright with pristine white flowers. The yellow gold flowers of  Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia Goldsturm) extends the bloom time  in this combination  by flowering a bit later. Fragrant pink Coneflower (Echinacea Kims Knee High) is nestled in the middle. You got to love this eye catching color that last for months and the fact they are perennials that come back year after year makes this a sound investment.   If you are looking to fill your empty vases with something cheerful – don’t forget the daisies.

Easy Care Blue Combo of Stokesia & Caryopteris

There is nothing like the fresh summer blooms of Stokesia.  Stokes Aster is a easy care perennial. Chris & I are particularly fond of the variety Peachie’s Pick because of their large almost daisy-like blooms which flower well in heat & humidity.  Stokiesia Peachie’s Pick is easily grown in full sun

Blue Mist Shrub - Caryopteris makes a long lasting cut flower

Stokes Aster is paired here with drought proof  & long blooming  Caryopteris Grand Bleu.

Both are EASY CARE garden plants that thrive with good drainage and make a terrific cut flower.  They both add a punch of color often needed in the mid-late sun perennial garden.

Here’s a fun container garden idea I shot while visiting a garden in Portland, Oregon.

Ring of Fire Patio Container

This colorful combination combines sun-tolerant Heuchera Peach Flambe with the drought-proof & sun-loving Sedum Mr. Goodbud.

A dynamic duo that is both low-maintenance and colorful – what more can you ask for?

I would simply water about once per week and if you’re in a good mood you could throw in a tablespoon of Miracle-Grow plant food in a gallon of water to really get the show going! But, if you just have to take that 2-week summer vacation, this pair of plants are especially forgiving and should be fine during your trip.

Some of my favorite perennials for creating colorful mixed containers include drought-proof Sedums, brilliant Heucheras, & architectural Ornamental Grasses.

Garden Design can be overwhelming if not frustrating.  What you sketch out on graph paper may not end up the way you envision it in the garden.

Hosta, Hydrangea & Aruncus

When it comes to garden design, start simple and think in 3’s. I often start with 3 plants that vary in size, shape and color yet match their growing environment.  Once you have something you like – you simply add to it.

Perennials & shrubs vary in color (both foliage & flower), texture and type or form.   With various combination of these features, there are countless opportunities to combine plants in the landscape.

THINK IN 3′S

RIGHT. Enjoy season long  foliage color with slug-proof Hosta First Frost as a foreground planting. The round bold flowers of  Hydrangea make for a pleasing yet contrasting  combination. The fine-textured flowers of Aruncus completes this handsome 3-some.

Tiarella & Hostas

LEFT. A small leaf gold Hosta is in front, a white edged medium sized Hosta in the center with Tiarella in the background.  Note how the white variegation of the Hosta compliments the white flowers of the Tiarella.

When it comes to garden design, think of  your garden as a small series of rooms or vignettes and  in 3’s as a starting point.  This way beginning garden design is less daunting.

For more inspiring garden combinations, visit our Garden Collections on www.GreatGardenPlants.com.

Pennisetum forms a collar around Panicum in this unique combination

Chris & I were driving down to Raleigh this summer for the annual Garden Writers Convention, when we pulled into a rest area whereupon our eyes were immediately drawn to   a couple of massive clumps of  ornamental grass.   As we got closer, we realized it was a combination of 2 different grasses that gave the illusion of 1 big one.

Dressed to Impress - Ornamental Grass

Circling around a single specimen of Panicum was a number of Pennisetum clumps. This works really well because this particular type of Panicum has an upright,narrow habit. It also has just the right height giving good balance  in this combination.

The Pennisetum grass works as a collar around the Panicum as the plumes  jetison outward.  The leaves of  Pennisetum bend downward providing a skirt-like appearance  as if dressed and ready for a  party.

I can see using other plants that share  a similar form to the Panicum such as Calamagrostis Karl Foerster,  or Ilex Sky Pencil.  What about trimming up a Hydrangea or a Sambucus and then encircling it with your favorite Pennisetum?  It seems there are some opportunities here for some creative plant combinations.