Germander might be an option. I don't have it, so I can't say for sure if the deer will leave it alone, but I think it's on most deer-resistant lists.

Teucrium chamaedrys is listed for zones 5-9. Will that work for you?

Cameron

wonbyherwits, I've never grown teucrium. I'm off to check the net for pictures and cultivation tips. thanx!

I used rosemary for hedging on two corners of my herb garden, not a named cultivar, just an upright rosemary that I've had for years. If you use rosemary, you can root pieces, it grows fairly fast. You can see rosemary in the lower left of this photo, two year old plant. Italian parsley, upper left, makes a good biennel filler plant, but goes to seed much to soon. I cut it back to make it last a little longer.
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In the opposite corners, I used calendula to make a fast edge, it will come out soon. You can see coleus on the inside of the calendula, coming on to make a temporary summer hedge. I haven't yet decided what the permanent hedge will be on these two corners.

Will you be putting a centerpiece plant at the intersection of the X? I considered a shrub rose, a big clump of lemon grass and several other prominent perennials; haven't decided yet so the urn stays for now.

In the fall, I'll be planting calendula solid in the corners outside the brick circle, moving out any stray plants. I liked the look of the calendula beds this spring across from the Florida Capitol building.

You could use different thymes, lavenders, hyssop, and the better behaved of the artemesia in addition to the already mentioned perennials: chives, oregano, rosemary and santolina. The list of annual herbs and ornamentals goes on and on, including basils of all kinds.

Nell

Oh man, Paul James just did a portion of his show on Knot Gardens. When I go home I'll see if I saved it on the tivo & let you know what he suggested. You might want to check hgtv website though. Since it was recent, there might be something about it.

I think its pretty common to use germander in knot gardens. I can't wait to see yours! Sue

Germander is an excellent choice. Saw it in a Martha Stewart Living magazine. I like the idea of lavender and thyme too.

What about santolina? Comes in green and silver/gray.

Nell, I can use thyme?! That sounds intriguing!

For all those who suggested germander, it seems a bit "wild". I didn't find any formal garden pictures showing it used in a knot garden. Can anyone supply me with pictures or a link?

wishfulthinking, i'm off to research santolina now.

The book I'm reading currently recommends 'Broadleaf English' Thyme as a hedge as opposed to 'narrowleaf French' thyme. There are a number of bush thymes which might make nice hedges. 'Narrowleaf French' is the one we grow for seasoning. Mine is too small to make a hedge. Can't speak for what it might ultimately reach.

Nell

I have a cordless, rechargeable hedge trimmer that I use to trim and shape my lavender and small shrubby shrubs like hypericum and itea. It's lightweight and I can use one hand to operate it. It's a Black & Decker Hedgehog. I think something like that will be needed to create a formal shape. Hand shears will tire your hands very quickly.

I found a beautiful photo of a knot garden using lavender, santolina, germander and barberry. see link.

Use parterre in your search for germander to get more hits.

Here's a really gorgeous 'braided rope' knot garden photo using germander and santolina:
http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/garden-tours/puget-sound-garden-0407

Here is a link that might be useful: knot garden

wonbyherwits,

thank you, both of those are gorgeous pictures. I can actually go see the garden at Filoli -- although I was there recently and don't remember seeing that knot garden. Guess I must have missed it.

Germander and Barberry sound like wonderful plants to use. I know that the Barberry is xeric here in our area. I would have never, ever thought of them on my own. Great, great suggesions . . .

Here's an example of the silver and green santolina at the Greenbay,WI Botanical Garden: