outdoors
Carolina Laurelcherry (Prunus caroliniana) Native from Texas east to North Carolina A low-water alternative to cherry laurel (P. laurocerasus), drought-tolerant Carolina laurelcherry has glossy leaves and an upright growth habit. Plant it as a hedge or grow dwarf varieties (Prunus caroliniana ‘Compacta’) in containers as accent shrubs. Bright ’N Tight Carolina laurelcherry (P. caroliniana ‘Monus’) Nondwarf plants naturally grow 20 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide but can be kept smaller with pruning. Given the robust growth habit of Carolina laurelcherry, it makes a great choice for tall privacy screens or dividers between garden rooms. Where it will grow: Hardy to 15 degrees F (zones 8 to 10) Water : Moderate in hot climates; otherwise low Light : Full sun to light shade
Carolina Laurelcherry (Prunus caroliniana) Native from Texas east to North Carolina A low-water alternative to cherry laurel (P. laurocerasus), drought-tolerant Carolina laurelcherry has glossy leaves and an upright growth habit. Plant it as a hedge or grow dwarf varieties (Prunus caroliniana ‘Compacta’) in containers as accent shrubs.
Foxtail fern, Myer's asparagus Botanical name: Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myers’ (sometimes sold as A. meyeri or A. myersii) USDA zones: 9 to 11; hardy to 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit Water : Medium Light : Sun to partial shade Mature size: 3- to 4-foot clump When to plant: Year-round Caution: Foxtail fern is toxic to pets if ingested.
Botanical name: Ficus benjamina Common names: Ficus, weeping fig, Benjamin fig, Benjamin tree Origin: India and Malaysia; has naturalized elsewhere Where it will grow: Happy in any region as a houseplant; outdoors, hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 6.7 Celsius (USDA zones 9 to 12; find your zone) Water requirement: Regular. Let the soil dry out slightly before watering; needs fast-draining soil that doesn’t become soggy. Light requirement: Bright, indirect light, although it can handle some shade Mature size: 1 foot to 10 feet tall indoors; in landscapes in tropical areas, such as Hawaii, it can reach 30 to 100 feet high and 50 feet wide
Evergreen -Upright Yew (Taxus x media) An all-time favorite is yew, upright (Taxus x media, shown here) or creeping. Its fine, dark green foliage has nothing to envy of any exotics. USDA zones: 4 to 8 Water requirement: Moist but well-drained soil Light requirement: Full to partial sun Mature size: Variable Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Spring to fall
EVERGREEN - Beesia (Beesia deltophylla) This smaller grower deserves a prime spot in shady planters as much as in formal bedding and naturalistic woodlands. Heart-shaped, its thick glossy leaves remain healthy looking year-round. For added cleanliness, I remove the gangly scapes produced throughout summer. Water requirement: Moist but well-drained soil Light requirement: Partial to full shade Mature size: 1 foot tall and wide Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Anytime
EVERGREEN -Cast-Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) is essential for the darkest porches, where it thrones year-round. It’s indestructible.Most of the time it’s green all the way through, but a few of the numerous collector’s selections are variegated like this one one dubbed ‘Asahi’. With its upright growth habit and its thick, lush foliage, cast-iron is a standout. USDA zones: 7 to 11 Water requirement: Well-drained soil Light requirement: Dappled to full shade Mature size: 2 1/4 feet tall and wide Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Anytime
EVERGREEN Bear's Breech (Acanthus mollis) the acanthus leaf imparts a bold, clean and durable look. It may die down during the coldest spells but will quickly sprout back. Along with cast-iron plant, described next, I use acanthus in large planters deprived of much sunlight. USDA zones: 6 or 7 to 11 (find your zone) Water requirement: Wet to moist soil Light requirement: Partial sun to dappled shade Mature size: 4 feet tall and wide Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Spring or summer
EVERGREEN -- -pachysandra (Pachysandra axillaris 'Windcliff's Fragrant').Of the newer candidates of ground cover Eons from the oh-so-common Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), this one is slightly taller, thankfully a tad looser and clad with diminutive yet highly fragrant flowers in the fall and again in late winter. A must-have plant. USDA zones: 6 to 9 Water requirement: Moist to well-drained soil Light requirement: Partial sun to full shade Mature size: Up to 1 foot tall; spreads Seasonal interest: Year-round When to plant: Anytime
Japanese forrest Grass -It is short enough to be used on a garden bed edge or on a bank, and it is flashy enough to hold its own in a perennial border. a wonderful container plant, softening pots by cascading over the edges. It makes a great foil for darker leaves and flowers all season long. Burgundy foliage like sweet potato vines, coral bells, and celosia are accentuated next to golden Japanese forest grass. It is also a nice complement next to the gray of stone walls and walkways.
Cool tones. Colors in the green, blue and purple spectrum are considered cool colors. They evoke a sense of calm and freshness. They help us feel relaxed and peaceful. Note how the purple of the Japanese painted fern picks up on the dark stems of the maiden fern, and the tiny bell-shaped flowers of the lily-of-the-valley dance throughout the planting. Plant combo: Northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum, zones 3 to 8) ‘Frances Williams’ plantain lily (Hosta sieboldiana ‘Frances Williams’, zones 3 to 8) Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis, zones 2 to 7) Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum, zones 3 to 8) Light requirement: Partial shade to full shade Water requirement: Regular water
Waterfall is a typical, but fairly small, Japanese Maple. It will grow to about six feet tall over its first ten years, but when fully mature it can reach past ten feet (although it's rare for it to exceed twelve). It's also a fairly wide tree, and when fully grown will be anywhere from eight to twelve feet across its branches.
Dwarf cherry laurel planted as a foundation hedge with a boxwood border and a young ‘Cloud Nine’ dogwood (Cornus florida ‘Cloud Nine’) Plant dwarf cherry laurel (P. laurocerasus ‘Nana’, zones 7 to 9) for a low hedge along a fence, wall or foundation. Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 20.6 degrees Celsius (zones 6 to 10) Water requirement: Looks lushest with regular water Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Q