foundation plant ideas
'Blue Star' juniper, shown, looks like a bonsai as it forms a mound; the bluish foliage particularly complements purplish or red plants. It makes a fine ground cover or accent plant, and looks great in a natural setting with rocks.Common name: 'Blue Star' juniperBotanical name: Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'USDA zones: 4 to 8 Water requirement: Light once established Light requirement: Full sunMature size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide Growing tips: Keep down weeds with mulch.
Add a dense lower tier.Dwarf Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Nana') always reminds me of a fat little dumpling. It has a rather loose mounding shape and a soft, feathery texture.I love evergreens that change in some way during the year; this one does that nicely, with blue-green summer foliage that takes on a purple cast during winter. Being evergreen, this conifer provides year-round interest.USDA zones: 5 to 8 Water requirement: ModerateLight requirement: Full sun or partial shade (so it's ideal for planting under a deciduous tree)Mature size: 7 feet tall and up to 7 feet wideWhen to plant: Spring or fall Jay Sifford Garden Design added this to Designing With Conifers: Layers of Texture for Your Garden Japanese cedars. Cryptomeria japonica (zones 5 to 9) is the national tree of Japan. Legend has it that the spirits of ancestors inhabit the trunks of these majestic trees. They are generally characterized by soft, dense dark green foliage arranged in a cloud-like pattern. Some are tall and pyramidal, reaching to 80 feet, while some, like ‘Dragon Prince’, are globose, reaching a height and width of 3 feet. Consider planting them with blue spruce for a textural vignett...
Left to right. the Chamacyparis Torulosa Pom Pom, behind it is a Thuja Rheingold on Standard. The Tall tree is Cedar of Lebanon. the 3 balls in front are Chamacyparis Psifera gold mop. a weeping blue spruce, weeping Japanese maple Tamayukama, Miss Molly Butterfly bushes are behind the yellow balls. The green ground cover is Mazus Reptans.
Anna’s Magic Ball Arborvitae(Thuja occidentalis ‘Anna’s Magic Ball’)Who can resist this little ball of golden fluff? This dwarf beauty will add sparkle in a semishady spot yet resist burn in sunnier areas. Conifers can be relied upon for providing winter interest, and this one is no exception.Where it will grow: Hardy to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 3 to 7)Water requirement: AverageLight requirement: Full sun or partial shadeMature size: 10 to 15 inches tall and wideBenefits and tolerances: Low maintenanceSeasonal interest: Year-roundWhen to plant: Spring or fallDistinguishing traits:EvergreenResists sun scaldCompact moundPlanting notes:Plant it in deep, well-drained soil.Use it in a rock garden or at the front of a border.It’s great in a container.
Blue Oat Grass (Helictotrichon sempervirens) Native to central and southwestern Europe 2 feet tall and wide, windblown effect Flowers 1 foot above the grass in summer and transition to a lovely gold in fall. Mass it or plant it on its own. looks best when planted in full sun, though it can be grown in light shade. Hardy down to 0 degrees F. evergreen in most climates It prefers occasional water but is drought tolerant. — francetetreault
idea for front of house?
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