Looking for a showstopper
ladybug A 9a Houston area
4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (29)
flowersaremusic z5 Eastern WA
4 years agoladybug A 9a Houston area thanked flowersaremusic z5 Eastern WAVaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoladybug A 9a Houston area thanked Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValleyRelated Discussions
Part Sun Showstopper by Season
Comments (21)You have gotten some great suggestions from others, so I'll give you some plants not already mentioned. My garden is quite a bit farther north than you, so check that these plants will do well in your area. Spring (which is late April - early June for me, but would be earlier for you): Dwarf crested iris, Iris cristata, is happy in full shade where it blooms well. Not a great photo and a bit past its maximum bloom, but Veronic Georgia Blue blooms well in part shade and spreads to fill available space without being a thug and overwhelming its neighbors. For about 2 weeks in May there is a bright blue river here in mostly bright shade. From May, 2011 Clematis HF Young is one the few early blooming clematis that I have found easy to grow. Geurnsey Cream is another one that does well for me in part shade. This HF Young gets a fair amount of sun, but would probably bloom as long as it gets 5 hours of sun. From June 5, 2012 Summer: Hydraneas are long bloomers, and though they are shrubs I find they do well in my borders. This one is the common variety Endless Summer which does bloom for me here in zone 4 all summer, but I also have H. arborescens Annabelle as well as a bunch of H. paniculata varieties. Annabelle blooms from early July until frost for me, though by now the flower heads are green, and the paniculatas (like Pinky Winky, Limelight, Pink Diamond, etc) start in mid to late July and are lovely until hard frost. Being further south, you would want to check with folks local to you as to your best long-blooming varieties. It is joined here by Clematis Ville de Lyon, one of my favorites. Many other clematis will bloom in part sun, as long as they get at least 5 hours of sun, particularly if the shade is relatively bright. Both plants were only in their second year here. From garden photos 07 H. All Summer Beauty From garden photos 07 I know that you asked specifically about flowers, but since you said you are new to gardening, I will stretch your boundaries a bit. Many of my part-shade show-stoppers are foliage plants and are stunning all season. Some of the shrubs and small trees have multiple seasons of interest that might include spring flowers, late summer berries,and/or and fall color. Japanese forest grass, Hakonechloa macra, has both golden and variegated varieties. I find my gold plants light up a dark spot with chartreuse foliage and in part shade are a lovely gold color. One of the gold varieties of Hakone grass on the left side. From June 2010 Heuchera, Heucherella, Tiarella, and hosta will provide some flowers, but for most, the real showstopper will be the foliage. This is relatively tame combination, but the colors and contrast among these can be stunning. From June 5, 2012 In mid-August the berries on the pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) are at their maximum color, though this was taken just a bit earlier than that. The bright red stems (which hang on after the berries are gone), the deep purple berries, and the many birds who come to eat the berries make this a great small tree in August, though the tiny white spring flowers and the peachy fall colors are nice as well. I am not sure if you are too warm for this plant to do well, but if so Kousa dogwood has large red fruit in the late summer as well as more traditional spring dogwood flowers and late red fall folliage. Cornus alternifolia From garden photos 07 Rhododendrons and azaleas are stunning plants in late spring, and there are also some of the deciduous azaleas that bloom in summer. Many of the deciduous azaleas have beautiful fall color. This variegated dogwood is one of my favorites, with green and white foliage and in winter bright red stems (as long as I prune 1/3 of it annually to get new stem growth.) From June 2010 A final shrub that is stunning in the late fall, Mount Airy Fothergilla, which has amazing orange, gold and red very late fall color for me here. The white, bottle brush spring flowers are lovely as well, with a light honey scent, though that is a nice bonus rather than a show-stopper. I think that a border with this and Kousa dogwood with spring bulbs, a few May-blooming perennials, and summer blooming clematis would make a great border with all season interest....See MoreGarden Pictures.
Comments (26)I realized this spring (DUH, big revelation) that I had too much strappy leaves and not enough of other textures in the garden. I am awash in my favorites which are daylilies, lilies and now iris. So the lupines, as well as those beautiful flowers, gave me those lovely lace like leaves. Of course, I am not getting rid of my strappy leaves, just trying to add some contrast. There is not much I have here that flowers in tall spikes so that is another reason for the lupines. But the bottom reason is that I just flipped for the colors and the flowers. I had though of getting Delphiniums but I don't know how they would do here and just ran out of steam with all the other garden additions. I would also like to bring back the tall hollyhocks as mine died out last year from hollyhock rust (not related to rose or daylily rust). I got some shorter hollyhocks this spring to try. One thing I do use for spikey summer color are gladiolas. I used to plant the full sized ones but since I discoved the shorter just wonderful Glamini Glads I am only planting those this year. I also grow some annual blue salvias which are likely perennial for you down there....See MoreCritique my layout please: any showstoppers? stupidities?
Comments (26)Thanks everyone! All of you who said the spacing between the DW and sink is too close, you are right. :-) I stood in front of where I positioned the sink, took out my tape measure, and mimed opening the DW door. I think what happened is I had more space in an earlier iteration but with a blind cabinet in the corner (like today's kitchen has). Then when I put in the corner cabinet/susan instead, I found I had some extra inches on that wall. I must have shifted the DW over next to the corner cabinet thinking 'yay, a wider drawer by the range', and forgot about actually being a person standing there. Hi taximom_co, I haven't ruled out hiring a kitchen designer yet. I believe they add value if you get the right one that meshes with one's style. I've had a hard time finding a real design-skilled KD, who takes the time to understand how I would operate in the space. I've had a few bad encounters over the last year in talking with people from 'design/build' firms, even with the firms that were recommended by friends. Given the beautiful kitchens that I've seen posted on this forum, I know there is talent here and I wanted a "gut check" that my ideas weren't completely off base. I would swear that two of the guys I talked to never cooked a meal in their lives. I had one guy from a 'design/build' firm actually arguing with me over not putting the microwave over the range. (I mean, if he's going to argue with me before I give him any money, and so he's spending time arguing on his dime vs mine, I could only imagine what it would've been like working with him under contract.) cheri127 yes, I love a large sink. In fact, the layout ought to show a single large sink, but either the software didn't have that one or I chose the wrong one. I'll attempt a layout with a corner sink over the weekend and post it to see what you think. Hi buehl, thanks for your comments about the fridge placement--it's is precisely for that "easy access for snackers/don't interfere with the workers" that I'm hoping to achieve. It's good to hear someone has it working in real life. :-)...See MoreGood as gold blooming
Comments (17)Hi nanadoll, I read that it is a new hybrid introduced in 2014 by Weeks the same company that released Julia Child and I was even happier because my husband loves the color of JC. In case you are interested I see that heirloom roses has GaG right now (price is a little high though) and regan nursery only for July 2017 (long time to wait...). Lilia...See Moreladybug A 9a Houston area
4 years agoVaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
4 years agoladybug A 9a Houston area
4 years agoladybug A 9a Houston area
4 years agoVaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoladybug A 9a Houston area thanked Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValleyladybug A 9a Houston area
4 years agoSheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoladybug A 9a Houston area
4 years agoladybug A 9a Houston area
4 years agoKenneth zone 7A - Southern Middle TN
4 years agoladybug A 9a Houston area thanked Kenneth zone 7A - Southern Middle TNVaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
4 years agoPlumeria Girl (Florida ,9b)
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoladybug A 9a Houston area thanked Plumeria Girl (Florida ,9b)Kristine LeGault 8a pnw
4 years agoflowersaremusic z5 Eastern WA
4 years agoKenneth zone 7A - Southern Middle TN
4 years agoKenneth zone 7A - Southern Middle TN
4 years agoladybug A 9a Houston area
4 years agoflowersaremusic z5 Eastern WA
4 years agosultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoladybug A 9a Houston area thanked sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)Plumeria Girl (Florida ,9b)
4 years ago
Related Stories
CEILINGSThings Are Looking Up: 10 Ideas for Decorating Your Ceiling
Whether you wrap it in silver leaf or stencil on your favorite design, your ceiling is ready for its close-up
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDES11 Ways to Use Mirrors to Make Your Space Look Bigger
Mirrors can transform a room, boosting the feeling of space and adding a cool flash of glamour
Full StoryFURNITURETuft Love: Classic Look With Contemporary Appeal
Sumptuous Upholstery Adds Undeniable Glamour to All Kinds of Spaces
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen Confidential: Trends to Look For in 2017
These designers expect to see more jewel tones, pleasing textures and colorful cabinetry in kitchens this year
Full StoryLIVING ROOMSRoom of the Day: That Chic Hotel-Lobby Look
This light-filled living room fits the bill for a San Francisco couple who like to travel
Full StoryBATHROOM WORKBOOK12 Ways to Get a Luxe Bathroom Look for Less
Your budget bathroom can have a high-end feel with the right tile, stone, vanity and accessories
Full StoryHOMES AROUND THE WORLDHouzz Tour: Period London Townhouse Gets a Lavish Makeover
Luxurious fabrics, custom features and lush details make this Regency house a French-inspired showstopper
Full StoryPLANTING IDEASGarden Design for Wildlife and Less Work
Looking to nature for inspiration can invigorate our suburban landscapes
Full StoryKITCHEN OF THE WEEKKitchen of the Week: A Designer's Budget Wood-and-White Makeover
Low-cost materials used in a design-minded way turn a depressing space into a light-filled showstopper
Full StoryTRENDING NOWThe 10 Most Popular Bedrooms on Houzz Right Now
Showstopper ceilings, bold colors and stellar lighting are among the highlights of these trending bedroom photos
Full Story
Kenneth zone 7A - Southern Middle TN