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Border ideas around a Hot Wings Japanese Tree?!?

last year
last modified: last year

I am looking to create a beautiful perennial border of approximately 2-2.5 feet around this Hot Wings Japanese Maple tree. Would greatly appreciate some suggestions on what type of plant as well as any design tips in regards to placement and overall visual interest. Should I plant boxwood or a perennial ?!? I am open to all suggestions:)

Thank you for your time and help!

P.S. will most likely get rid of the tree in the corner
















i also have some Incrediball Hydrangeas on the opposite side!

Comments (11)

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Looks like you have plenty of room for planting around your new tree although the borders lined with to-be-planted stuff are confusing. What are they (can't see them close up enough to tell) and do you intend to plant them as outlined? It would also be helpful to know were exactly you are located so suitable plants can be suggested.

    I doubt I would add a boxwood - they look too similar in texture and coloring as the lined out plants. But I would want to see some sort of structure throughout that would be present when herbaceous perennials disappear for the season. IMO, evergreen something(s) would be preferred but compact deciduous shrubs can work as well. There are also some evergreen grasses, perennials and groundcovers that could be used, depending on your location.

    Hot Wings is a Tatarian maple, not a Japanese maple, and very cold hardy. It is known for its bright red samaras and bright red fall color. Perennials that would compliment (red flowers) or contrast (blue flowers) will accent the tree's features. So will something with a silvery or gray color like lamb's ears or artemisia.

    HU-61549808 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
  • last year

    Here are some ideas:


    HU-61549808 thanked Doug Lockwood, VSLD Certified (zone 8)
  • last year

    Doug’s vision is great and gardengal’s advice for evergreens is perfect. You have room for seasonal color with perennials and could reserve a section for annuals if you enjoy playing in the garden, as I do. If your potted plants are Sky Pencil holly (?) or similar, it would create a taller screen along your fence as arranged. I would put other plants in less formally, like in drifts as shown in Doug’s rendering, since you already have a formal outline. I’d make the plant selection in consideration of the shade that will be cast by the maple when mature.

    HU-61549808 thanked Jj J
  • last year

    @gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)


    Thank you so much gardengal!

    My apologies I don’t have any border lines as of yet. I intended on creating a 5 foot border with edging, which I haven’t done yet. I’m new to gardening and learning as I go. I am located in Western Canada so the cold weather works out for the Tatarian maple. Thank you for the correction about it not being a maple. I actually had purchased some mahogany colored heucheras and silver swirl centaurea ragusina. I would possibly be placing the silver swirl closer to the trunk as a background for the Mahogany colored Heucheras. I will add more as I go. Your advice has been so helpful. Thank you so so much!

  • last year

    @Doug Lockwood


    it looks great but im looking for some more lawn space as opposed to a front yard flower bed garden. I will definitely take your ideas into consideration!

  • last year

    @Jj J


    Thank you! I purchased some Mahogany colored Heucheras and silver swirl centaurea ragusina for this upcoming season, for now at least-I can definitely add some more annuals as I go along. What section do you think I should reserve for annuals? Yes they are Sky Pencil Holly. The rest of the landscaping is pretty formal and I wanted an upright, narrow hedge in front of that fence. Do they look really off? What if I plant them close to one another. I understand what you mean by “formal”

    I appreciate your help. Thanks a bunch

  • last year

    Oh, you want lawn in there? With the border plants you have in place and Sky Pencils along the fence, where is you access point for a mower? Even if you hire out the lawn work, there should be an access point (maybe it’s out of the view in your photos). This is a great opportunity to skip the lawn. Once you have plants that provide year round interest/color around your feature tree, it will become clearer where perennials and color spots would work. And you won’t miss the lawn. 😉

    HU-61549808 thanked Jj J
  • PRO
    last year

    If you are into modern design than some option to go





  • PRO
    last year

    Or some cottage style



  • last year

    You have a lot of area to cover. I'd use landscape plugs. My go-to source is The Pollen Nation, which has reasonably priced trays. I would not put a garden around the maple and then grass around that, but put in a groundcover on the whole space. One of my faves is moss phlox. It comes in pinks, whites and purples from pale to pretty bright, is pretty much evergreen and low care. (Of course you haven't said much about your climate).

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    Then, in the moss phlox, I'd scatter a bunch of other perennials and bulbs for 3 season color.


    If you have the shade, you can do Heuchera as a groundcover, but it will be quite expensive any of the fancy, named varieties. I think Tiarella Cordifolia is a great groundcover for shade. The leaves look a bit like Heuchera and it spreads. But, I don't think you have the shade. This is zoomed in and looks bigger than it is in reality


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