courtyard 2
Coral Bark japanese maple (acer palmatum "sago kaku") or coral bark japanese maple. Imparts shots of yello into a yard. Zones 4 to 9 height 20 feet yellow green leaves and coral bark in spring and summer, the leaves turn brighter yellow in fall and the bark turns a ibrant coral in winter deciduous. full sun to partial shade, water : moderate to regular
So many great grasses have only recently come into vogue, and one is muhly grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris, zones 5 to 9). Muhly is another native, calling the southeastern half of the United States home. This grass much prefers sun, poor soil and well-drained soil, making it a prime candidate for coastal planting. Its narrow blades are beautiful, but its misty pink-purple blooms in fall are its real claim to fame. White-flowered varieties can also be found on the market today.
maybe the "heavy metal" color they are talking about below is grey? A warm-season grass that's exploded in popularity recently is switch grass (Panicum virgatum, zones 5 to 9). The species is pictured here along with its cultivar 'Dallas Blues'. Switch grass is native to almost all of North America, save for the West Coast. Its grace as a foliage plant is exceeded only by its pretty pink flowers, and this grass thrives in heat and drought. Most cultivars come in either blue, such as 'Dallas Blues' or popular 'Heavy Metal', or red, as in 'Prairie Fire' and 'Shenandoah'. 'Northwind' is another blue cultivar of great use to designers because of its striking upright stance. All prefer sun.
Popular miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis cultivars) is the grand dame of warm season grasses — so much so that I find folks are more likely to know it by its botanical name than its common name ("maiden grass"). You'll find many varieties of miscanthus on the market, but most are 4 to 6 feet tall, have a vase shape and bloom anytime from midsummer to fall. My favorite is the standby 'Morning Light' (zones 5 to 9), a vision in very slender, flocked blades. This one blooms late or not at all, making it more a foliage plant, but that's good in that Miscanthus sinensis, the parent species of all these grasses, has come under fire as a weedy, seedy invasive species in recent years. Experts question the cultivars' ability to seed, but the bottom line is: If it doesn't bloom, it won't set seed. Miscanthus likes full sun.
Could some grasses like this be planted to hide the ac units and come toward the walkway? Situating a clump of ornamental grass along a pathway is a wonderful way to experience the texture of the stalks and the plume. Allowing the grasses to lean over into a walkway gives the walker an even more visceral experience. Just be careful which grasses you choose. Some can have very sharp blades and would not be pleasant to walk near!
Ornamental grasses are a somewhat acquired taste, and not everyone is a fan. However, they are a beautiful source of texture in the garden and offer a wide range of choices. Even if you don't like ornamental grasses, how could you not run your fingers along the edges of this Japanese silver grass as you walk down this path?
planter shape and this has some blackish parts. Cape rush: Chondropetalum tectorum is an easy-to-grow plant that tolerates a wide range of soils as long as it is watered regularly. It does well in full sun or with at least five hours of direct sunshine per day, and reaches about 4 feet tall and 6 feet wide. It fits in particularly well in modern coastal gardens because the dark brown (almost black) bracts and flowers make such a strong display with modern elements like rusty metal or black resin planters. It is evergreen and needs no pruning.
Golden sweet flag: Acorus gramineus or "Ogon" is one of relatively few ornamental grasses happy in partial or even full shade. The cheery golden color brightens up the shady side of a coastal landscape, and this grass tolerates salt winds with ease. Reaching only 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, it's happiest with regular water in the landscape and can even be used in a water feature or bog planting. Best of all, this easygoing plant is evergreen. I imagine it would look great in my courtyard with the gazing ball I have
Flax grass: Phormiu comes in a wide array of colors and sizes, from dwarf foot-tall specimens to spiky monsters 8 feet tall. Most modern cultivars top out around 5 or 6 feet tall and wide. They're available in colors such as bright red, gold, shiny black, cream-variegated and more. Because they have such wide blades, they make an immediate dramatic impact in the coastal landscape. While their blades can be damaged by wind, they are such vigorous growers that if you are willing to periodically thin out any damaged leaves, they will make a stunning showpiece plant for the coastal garden. I especially like the idea of a black one of these which may work against the grey wall of the garage
Japanese blood grass emerges in spring as a green grass but quickly adds blood-tinted tips as the season goes on. By mid-June, the grass is half red, half green and, by fall, it is almost completely red. The color works in harmony with the fall symphony of hot hues, but works just as well against blues and purples in the middle of summer.
wall color and rosemary against the wall as well as the featured grass talked about: Botanical name: Imperator cylindrical Common name: Japanese blood grass USDA zones: 6 to 9 (can get weedy in zones 8 and 9); find your zone Water requirement: Loves water, but not wet feet Light requirement: Part sun, part shade Mature size: 18-24 inches tall Benefits: Beautiful color, low grass with movement, propagates easily, easy to care for once established
Planting notes: Purple fountain grass likes loose, well-drained soil. Let it dry out a bit in between watering — once established, it's fairly drought tolerant. If you live in an area with very hot and intense sun, this grass will take some partial shade, particularly in the afternoon. If you live in USDA zone 8b or above and would like to treat purple fountain grass as a perennial, let it shine in your garden until late winter (February) when you can cut it back to about 6 to 8 inches. All other zones should treat purple fountain grass as an annual, but since it is so affordable and such a fast grower, you won't mind replacing it annually.
Distinguishing traits: The foliage of purple fountain grass is outstanding, featuring a striking, dark burgundy/black grassy blade that has a lighter green base. This unusual coloration blends in well with other bright green and purplish plants and flowers. Long, foxtail-like plumes appear early in the season and remain late into the summer and fall, providing graceful movement and texture in the warm-season garden. Its medium size makes it a versatile addition to any garden, and the quick growth rate allows you to save money by purchasing it in a 1-gallon container. In no time at all, this ornamental grass will grow to twice and even three times its size.
Botanical name: Pennisetum setaceum Common names: Purple fountain grass, rose fountain grass USDA zones: Perennial in 8b-11, annual in all other zones. Find your zone. Water requirement: Average water needs; drought tolerant once established Light requirement: Full sun to light shade Mature size: Up to 48 inches tall and 24 to 36 inches wide Benefits and tolerances: Drought tolerant Seasonal interest: In late spring to mid-fall, the burgundy-black foliage and foxtail plumes remain a constant feature in the perennial garden; lends winter interest in its dried form When to plant: Mid-spring or after last frost
Ornamental grasses are another good low-maintenance option for outdoor planters. They need to be cut back only once a year in the spring and, after the first year of growth, require very little water. They tend to thrive in areas of full sunlight.
Remember, many succulents thrive on neglect. Always err on the side of underwatering, not overwatering. If they look a little limp, then it's time to water. Note: Some succulents are frost tender and may need a cover in cold weather.
For extra-hot outdoor conditions, extended vacations or people who just can't seem to keep a plant alive, succulents are a fantastic choice. Most survive quite well in full sun and require at least one to two hours per day of full sun. For larger planters or spaces that call for a taller plant, consider using American aloe or Parry Agave.
Lower Maintenance with Ground Covers Although not one of the grasses, Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens') is a grasslike perennial that's always linked with them. One of the only true black plants that grows, it makes great ground cover and provides wonderful contrast with neighboring planting. It clumps but will spread if planted in moist soil in a sunny or semi-shaded situation. One bonus is the delightful bell-shaped, pale purplish white flowers that are produced in summer and followed by shiny blue-black berries.
The most popular of all blue grasses, common blue fescue (Festuca glauca), zones 4-9, is made for the smaller garden. It punches above its weight, bringing not only superb color but also movement with the discreet rippling of its blades in the wind. The foliage is a metallic blue during the spring and summer, though a touch greener in winter. It has the most delicate of flower heads in spring, held well above the foliage. Planting note: Festuca glauca can be easily grown from seed sown in the spring. They make great plants for hanging baskets and containers — especially when underplanted with dwarf bulbs, such as Grape Hyacinth (Muscari armeniacum), for spring flowering. Plant in groups in a sunny, well-drained position to bring out the color.
One of the most stunning of all gold grasses is Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold'. It is a one of the best grasses for containers in sun or shade, as it makes wonderful clumps or mounds. As a ground cover, it isn't perfect, as it is not fully evergreen and will die to an untidy mess in winter. This aside, it is still a great grass for small gardens.
Allow Natural Movement The kings of movers in the garden are, of course, the grasses. In a small garden, these bring the space to life. Swaying with the slightest air current, grasses take away the sterility of urban and suburban life. I find the fountain grasses (Pennisetum orientale 'Karley Rose' is shown here) to be some of the best movers and groovers, with their fluffy flower heads dancing in the breeze. Planted in clumps, they contrast brilliantly against the bulky shapes of clipped evergreens.
Accent plants. Structure in the small garden is not just about solidity of dense evergreens, but also includes the use of striking accent plants such as Flaxes (Phormium spp). In a small garden, Phormiums can be the key ingredient of the planting. Their straplike leaves not only offer a wide variety of foliage color — from traditional green to variegations of yellow, green, red and deepest purple — but also provide movement, that other vital feature in small garden design.
Texture, form and contrasting foliage color enhance the composition. Try: Thriller: Small Cape Rush (Chondropetalum tectorum) Spiller: Silver Hills Dichondra (Dichondra argentea 'Silver Falls') Filler: Blue fescue (Festuca glauca) and New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax 'Jack Spratt')
This distinctly Asian-flavor planting illustrates that the formula works in any design style. Try: great for the corner near my door Thriller: Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara) Spiller: Variegated Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea 'Variegata') Filler: Siskiyou Blue Fescue (Festuca 'Siskiyou Blue')
Matched pots with tropical-flavor plantings make a statement strong enough to pull the eye away from the stunning backdrop. Try: Thriller: Canna var. Spiller: Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) Filler: Assorted Coleus
This pot uses multiple thrillers, spillers and fillers to create a well-balanced whole. To get this look, try: Thrillers: Evergreen Miscanthus (Miscanthus transmorrisonensis) and Coastal Woolybush (Adenanthos sericeus) Spillers: Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas var.) and Bacopa (Sutera cordata) Fillers: Sand Hill Sage (Artemisia pycnocephala 'David's Choice') and Wand Flower (Gaura lindheimeri)
Need something bigger than a single pot? The same thriller-spiller-filler formula can be expanded to a group of pots that work together to create a unified composition. This grouping of pots filled with flax (Phormium var.) and assorted succulents follows the thriller-spiller-filler formula.
Tough but airy, these low-water-use plants have lots of movement. Thriller: Fairy Tails Feathergrass (Pennisetum 'Fairy Tails') Spiller: Marnier's Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe marnieriana) Filler: April Gruen Sheep's Fescue (Festuca amethystina 'Aprilgrun')
Thriller: Cape Rush (Chondropetalum elephantinum) Spiller: Fish Hooks (Senecio 'Fish Hooks') Filler: Blue Chalk Sticks (Senecio mandraliscae)
Airy thrillers, a densely matted spiller and fillers that read as calligraphic brushstrokes make this a stunning arrangement. Placing this masterpiece in front of a backdrop that makes it pop— much like art hung on the gallery wall — plus the strong color of the container really kicks it up a notch.
planters against fence
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