| Area- Sharp slope against pool fence (45ft.X10ft.) into flatter grass area. Would like both per. and annuals/shrubs/bushes. Unsure of where to start-transition from garden edge to grass-do not want to block view-need advice how to mix ht.and texture of plants. Any help would be greatly respected and appreciated Thanks. Susan |
| I think you're on the right track! Start by measuring the area and sketching it out on paper. Then look at the planting bed and try to visualize what you'd like to see - tall green shrub or low, wide shrub? Jot down your ideas and sketch bubbles or circles onto your paper. The backbone of your design (shrubs and trees) should be your first consideration, followed by flowering plants, followed by fill-ins, either groundcovers or annuals that you tuck into the garden for seasonal color changes. Then comes the hard part - researching the mature height and width of your potential plants to make sure they will fit into your design. Groups of 3 or 5 are usually more visually attractive than a single specimen so keep that in mind, as well. Here are a few suggestions: Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) Golden yellow floewrs; Perennial 24-36in./ Deadhead to encourage reblooming. Selffulgida sullivantii ?Goldsturm? blooms summer to fall 18-24 in.; attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Roses of any color; general grow 2-4 ft. tall and wide. False indigo Blue flowers; 4-5 ft. Long flower spikes are excellent for cut flowers; Baptisia Midnight Prairieblues, grows 3-4 ft. Salvia (Salvia superba) Blue-purple flowers all summer long; very compact; grows 15-18 inches and attracts hummingbirds. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium) 24-48 in. Blue-gray leaves turn burgundy-red in fall. scoparium ?The Blues? ornamental grass 18 in. tall and wide. Agastache ?Cotton Candy? blooms summer to fall 18 in. Evening primrose (Oenothera) Yellow; lemon-yellow flowers; There are many, many more to consider planting. Just sketch out your ideas and then do a little window shopping at the nursery. Enjoy! |
