Lush colors and tropical textures add vibrancy to a perennial framework
Years ago , I create a long , deepperennialborder that I could enjoy and critique from my kitchen window . I was happy with the size and form of thebed , but the design was a struggle . candidly , it was boring , filled with small - leaved plant that became drab bymidsummerafter their efflorescence peak and faded .
So I protrude addingunusual annualand tropical plants to the border , including some with large , interesting foliation . infuse my plant pallette with these unexpected choices supply the contrast I had been looking for and enable me to keep a continuous balance of colors going throughout the season . Combined with more traditional planting , the tender plants create a feeling of controlled ebullience .
annual provide nonstop color from midsummer right until frost . ‘ New Zealand Purple ’ caster noggin ( Ricinus communis‘New Zealand Purple ’ , Zones 9–11 ) adds a bold , dark note , while the upbeat treasure tones of gomphrena ( Gomphrena haageana‘Strawberry Fields ’ , annual ) , cleome , and ‘ Mystic Spires Blue ’ salvia ( Salvia‘Balsalmisp ’ , Zones 7–10 ) spark against the surrounding foliage .
Make room for new textures and colors
There are manyannualsthat will grow 6 feet or more in a season . The robust silhouettes of these big plants bring exercising weight and balance to my border , anchor it against a background of woods , sky , and removed hills .
Most of the annuals I plant will provide a riot of flowers and leaf from midsummer until the first freeze . Over time , I have redesign my border to make way for more of these warm - season stars . holmium - hum perennial had to go , and the remaining plants were go around to leave plenty of elbow room for tot yearly throughout the border . It is an ongoing challenge to asseverate sufficient space for them . If I total any new perennials or shrubs to my edge , then I must have the subject area to remove plants as well .
Each outpouring , I review how the garden looked the former year and make notes for my upcoming trips to nurseries . I locate marvelous wager in the empty space throughout the border . I stand back and imagine how the annuals will hang with the existing perennials , bush , and trees . I remark how many annuals I will need in each size : short one for the front ; medium for the middle ; and tall for the back .
The seam is flanked by suspicious woods at each end , so I essay out quiet , forgetful , shade - tolerant annuals for the ends of the border . The gravid , exotic yearly create a crescendo of color in the middle , the deep and gay part of the border .
Choosing plants is an annual adventure
For each space that require to be fulfil , I have a genial image of the neighboring plant : the sizing and color of foliage ; plant height ; and prime color . I love going to nurseries that specialize in unusual annuals and poking around for new and interesting motley to attempt .
Some glasshouse speciate in expectant , woody annuals that have been overwintered in greenhouses . These can be pricey , but I care to get a few because they provide instant “ prisoner of war . ” I also check that to let in some betimes - blooming annuals to fuel that first burst of summer color .
Before planting , I lay all of the annuals out on the lawn near their specify spots in the garden . For a more rude look , I mass some varieties and on purpose plant a few grandiloquent specimens toward the front of the border to look like they came up on their own . I sometimes engraft leggier yearly near sturdy perennial or shrub to avoid staking .
Proper care fuels an exuberant display
Planting only takes a day or two , then the body of work of caring for the newcomers begins . I water and inseminate judiciously for the rest of the summertime . I filch the annuals back in midsummer to impel them to bush out , and I deadhead on a regular basis to encourage rebloom .
The former - summertime borderline can look a bit funny , with tiny seedlings in large , empty spaces . One agency to fill the spaces temporarily is to grow self - seeding poppy ( Papaverspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–9 ) and decorative onions ( Alliumspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) . Once the annual start to fill up in , I can pull in out poppies and cut back genus Allium leafage to make more room . Another whoremaster is to place potted tropicals in the spaces with the young annual . I have several early - blooming perennial and shrubs to give colouring in other summer .
As the summer build up , I am not afraid to reduce back or remove the early - blooming perennial to make room for annuals to take the stagecoach . I will even move full - grown yearly to good pip if necessary . Most time they subsist if give lot of piddle .
As I reckon out my kitchen window throughout the summer , I am constantly assess the perimeter . I move existing plants and add new ones , adjusting the colors , balance , and weight unit to get the video display just right . I ca n’t await to go out every first light to see what ’s new . It is so much play to see plants from place like Brazil and Africa growing happily in my New Hampshire moulding . Annuals keep the dramatic event unfolding with each go along day .
Mix it up
This design bank on a Libra of both tender and hardy plants . Here are a few favorites .
Annuals
1 . ‘ Profusion Apricot ’ zinnia(Zinnia‘Profusion Apricot ’ )
2.‘Violet Queen ’ wanderer flower(Cleome hassleriana‘Violet female monarch ’ )
3.Purple fount grass(Pennisetumsetaceum‘Rubrum ’ , Zones 8–11 )
Shrubs and perennials
4.‘Blue Star ’ juniper(Juniperus squamata‘Blue Star’,Zones 4–8 )
5 . ‘ Goldflame ’ Nipponese spirea(Spiraea japonica‘Goldflame ’ , Zones 4–8 )
6 . ‘ Tardiva ’ panicle hydrangea(Hydrangea paniculata‘Tardiva’,Zones 3–8 )
7.Tiger optic ® sumac(Rhus typhina‘Bailtiger’,Zones 4–8 )
Tips for getting the biggest bang from your annuals
It is worth paying more for openhanded , more fledged yearbook , especially if your growing season is unforesightful . Here are a few tip .
Add height
Annual vine on trellises are a nice erect constituent , growing chop-chop to give a border height and weight . Do n’t forget to bet on dahlias and other marvelous yearbook to keep them vertical .
Trees and shrubs tie the design together,contributing year-round structure and a sense of mass that is in scale with the surrounding landscape.
Take care
Be vigilant about lacrimation , fertilizing , pinching , and deadheading . Mulch well to hold wet .
Improvise
Trees and shrubs tie the design together,contributing year-round structure and a sense of mass that is in scale with the surrounding landscape.
Do n’t be afraid to move annuals to improve your pattern . As long as you keep them well water , they should survive . I sometimes move perennials into a hold bottom in midsummer to make outer space for more annual .
apply your phone
Take photos of the garden with stake in empty outer space , and review them while industrial plant shopping . Google unfamiliar variety to read how to care for them and how they will reckon when full grown .
Trees and shrubs tie the design together,contributing year-round structure and a sense of mass that is in scale with the surrounding landscape.
repetition
persist in the report by repeating some yearly elsewhere on the property , like terrace planters or window boxes .
Overwinter sagely
In fall , bring particularly rare or expensive plants deep down . Some can go dormant in a dour cellar , while others will overwinter happily in a sunny way . When it ’s time to bring them back outside , take the metre to slowly acclimatize them to the sun .
Sunny room
• Princess flower(Tibouchinaspp . , Zones 10–11 )
• Tropical smoke bush(Euphorbia cotinifolia , Zones 9–11 )
• Lion ’s ear(Leonotis leonurus , Zones 8–11 )
Early-season care pays off later.Once the annuals are planted, mulch is applied throughout the garden. The new plantings will need extra water and attention until they become established.
• Yoke - leaved amicia(Amicia zygomeris , Zones 7–9 )
• Elephant ’s ear(Colocasia esculentaspp . and cvs . , geographical zone 8–11 )
Dark basement
• Dahlias(Dahliacvs . , Zones 8–10 )
• Cannas(Cannacvs . , Zones 8–10 )
• Bananas(Musaspp . and cvs . , Zones 10–12 )
Foliage is an important part of the design,and plants with chartreuse and bronze foliage are strategically placed throughout the border to intensify the effect of colorful blooms.
Laura Trowbridge is a garden clothes designer in Peterborough , New Hampshire .
picture by Carol Collins
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The front of the border is short and sweet,with low-growing shrubs and perennials mingling with smaller annuals. Dwarf conifers add strong textures that contrast well with airier plants.
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