For many of you, spring is in the air, and it's time yet again to venture out and make your statement to the world. Your gardening statement, that is, and you have to decide what is going to define you this year. My personal choice lies somewhere between Gothic, and Wild Victorian. It just depends on my mood that day, and where I am working on the grounds. Meaning just how much sunlight is going to be reaching the area.
You may think that just because part of your yard is in shade that you have to give up on your dream of planting, but that is not the case. There are many interesting looking plants that would love that spot, and they just happen to be perfect for that mysterious look that you may be wanting. Look at the following plants, and tell me if this is just the look that you have been wanting to achieve:
Black Taffeta Coral Bells: It features dark, highly-ruffled look, and glossy leaves that maintain a warmer tone throughout the winter. The tops of the leaves are a burnished black while the bottoms are plum-colored, bringing some chocolaty warmth to the black color.
Dusty Miller: The silvery-white color is a great foil for any type of garden blossom and the fine-textured foliage creates a beautiful contrast against other plants' green foliage. Dusty is very easy to grow, withstanding heat and drought.
Hosta 'Komodo Dragon': The heavily-rippled, dark green, pointed leaves stretch outward to form an impressive, upright, 7' wide Hosta fluctuans-like clump. Don't plant Hosta 'Komodo Dragon' unless you have plenty of room. The giant clumps are topped in midsummer with 4' tall scapes laden with light lavender flowers...a hummingbird magnet.
Twilight Foamy Bells: The charcoal color on the leaves is unprecedented on this low, broad hybrid. Exceptionally vigorous, it makes for a groundcover beyond compare, while the distinctive color also makes it attention-getting in mixed containers!
Ghost Lady Fern: A cross between Lady Fern and Japanese Silver-Painted Fern, 'Ghost' improves on these two favorites by combining finely divided foliage, excellent upright habit, and silvery-gray fronds so luminous they appear to glow.
Japanese Painted Fern: A colorful addition to the shade garden, this deciduous fern has glowing pewter-and-green fronds and red or purple stems. Give this plant moist, well-drained soil.
Tassel Fern: This very low-maintenance, dependable shade lover brightens the landscape in all seasons. Like most ferns, this species is resistant to disease and nearly immune to pest problems.
Not bad so sar, but let's see what else we can have if we have spot that gets a little more sun during the day...
Black Magic Elephant Ear: The enormous elongated heart-shaped leaves of Elephant's Ears make them useful accents in beddings (where space permits), large containers and water gardens. Seldom-seen flowers resemble trumpet-like Callas. Also known as Taro, its tuberous roots are eaten as food in many tropical areas.
Japanese Blood Grass: It 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.
Purple Fountain Grass: This Fountain Grass has elegant plumes with a pink/reddish hue, getting its name “Rubrum” from the word meaning red. It will put on a lovely, decorative show in the garden and is a wonderful accent grass.
Purple Basil: This plant has dark purple leaves, and can reach a full 2 feet at maturity. Although most basil varieties are green, even they usually have purple flowers. It does not come back the next year, but it re-seeds itself very easily.
It's getting even more interesting isn't it? You might also look in to picking the plants that are just right for giving you a Glowing Moon Garden. Moon gardens shine at night, without the aid of light. Those plants tend to be in the lighter shades of green, and white, etc. Here are a few of those who would fit right in with our theme.
Garden hydrangea: The shrub is easy to grow, needing little fussing beyond watering, occasional feeding, and light pruning once a year. If you would prefer Blue, just put coffee grounds around the bush.
Heuchera, ‘Electric Lime’ Heuchera: The perfect accent for a mostly green garden; its big maple-like leaves add a pop of bright lime that’s guaranteed to wake up darker green shrubbery.
Royal Wedding Hosta: The white edging is mirrored by the snow white flowers that arise on 20-inch flower scapes. While most Hostas grow tiny, ornamentally insignificant flowers, 'Royal Wedding' boasts 3 to 4 inch blooms that are reminiscent of Magnolia blooms and which are, fittingly, very fragrant.
White Caladium: This vibrant white caladium works well in any shady area of your garden. The leaves are paper-thin translucent white with a thin netting of green and pronounced green main veins.
Ipomoea alba, sometimes called the moonflower (but not to be confused with the other species also called moonflower) or moon vine, is a species of night-blooming morning glory, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the New World.
‘Casa Blanca’ Oriental lilies provide wonderful fragrance and large, showy blooms for the mid-summer garden.
I bet you feel like getting outside now! I know that I do. One last thought...don't forget the garden accessories!!! Here are a few that I hope to add this year.
Enjoy the time in your garden, and don't forget to share your pictures!
