F

orget about traditional foundation plantings. Why not
dress up the front of your house with a carefree mix-
ture of trees, shrubs, and perennials? This design is
appropriate for Zones 5 to 7, in a sunny or partly

shaded location. For good fertility and moisture retention,

amend the soil with organic material such as compost, or
rotted leaves. For early spring color, underplant with groups
of bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocus, and squills; to add
summer color, interplant with annuals such as petunias, ver-
bena, heliotrope, and globe amaranth.

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHELLE BURCHARD. SEE RESOURCES FOR DETAILS.

26 GARDENER MARCH/APRIL 2000

CL Gardener

Issue: march/april 2000 Story Name/Code: garden plan

Page 1 of 1

single page

Page #: 26

garden

plan

2 plants planted singly; 4' to 5' tall; 4'
spread; small evergreen leaves; tiny white
flowers in early summer; if pollinated, black
berries follow; compact rounded habit.

6.

Butterfly blue scabiosa

(Scabiosa

columbaria ‘Butterfly Blue’) 3 plants planted
1' apart; 12" to 15" tall; 12" across; slender
stems bear 1" heads of soft lavender blue
flowers above cushions of foliage; long-
blooming from spring to frost.

7.

Butterfly bush

(Buddleja davidii ‘Nanho

Purple’) 1 plant; 5' tall; 4' across; silvery
deciduous leaves; panicles of purple flow-
ers from midsummer till frost; very attrac-

tive to butterflies; blooms on new wood,
so prune hard in spring.

8.

Columbine

(Aquilegia hybrids) 7 plants

planted 15" apart; 2' to 3' tall; 18" across;
dainty long-spurred flowers in pastel
shades of pink, yellow, mauve, lavender,
and white; blue-green foliage; remove
foliage marred by leaf miner damage.

9.

Bleeding heart

(Dicentra spectabilis) 3

groups of 3 plants, each planted 15" apart;
2' to 3' tall; 18" across; dangling pink-and-
white heart-shaped flowers along the
stem; attractive, slightly bluish leaves die
back when the weather gets hot.

the border at a glance

1.

Purple-leaf sand cherry

(Prunus x

cistena) 1 plant; 7' to 10' tall; deciduous;
strong reddish purple foliage all season;
small, fragrant, very pale pink flowers in
mid-spring; its purplish black berries that
follow are attractive to birds.

2.

Rhododendron yakusimanum

3 plants

planted singly; 3' tall and 3' across; ever-
green foliage, with woolly tan reverse; rosy
flower buds open to pink in late spring; a
very tough, slow-growing plant.

3.

Oakleaf hydrangea

(Hydrangea querci-

folia) 1 plant; 4' to 5' tall and as wide; bold
deciduous foliage, with intense reddish
fall color; large panicles of white flowers in
midsummer; retains winter interest with
exfoliating bark.

4.

Variegated Japanese andromeda

(Pieris japonica ‘Variegata’) 1 plant; 10' tall;
5' spread; slender sprays of greenish win-
ter buds open to white lily-of-the-valley
flowers in spring; evergreen leaves
rimmed in white; neat, upright habit.

5.

Inkberry holly

(Ilex glabra ‘Compacta’)

4'

Porch Garden Border

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