Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Kubota Garden . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet
When designing gardens , one of the first things I do is focalise on key structural plants that will provide interest throughout the year while also serve well a ten thousand of functions . Often called ‘ statement flora ’ or ‘ architectural plants , ’ structural plants have strong , unique , and excise SHAPE , whether from their form , foliage , flowers , or branching patterns . Structural plants , however , are more than just a conversation piece or something to please the oculus ; their functional aspects are critical to the success of a garden .
For model , many geomorphologic works are have-to doe with to as the ‘ bones ’ of a garden . Similar to the strength and sustenance provide by the osseous tissue in our body , a garden ’s ‘ bones ’ ply a twelvemonth - turn solid and tough framework for the entire garden , even in the bleakest days of winter .
affirmation plant can also provide a subtle sensation of order , which is peculiarly important to many realistic gardens that can quickly appear a moment helter-skelter and out of control . In addition , structural plants can also create a sense of dramatic play , anchor a garden , pull out the eye upwardly ( fix a small outer space look great ) , or facilitate delimit traditional spaces .
STRUCTURAL PLANTS
' Big Blue ' ocean holly . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
SEA HOLLY (Eryngiumspp.)
Plant type : PerennialZones:4 to 9Height:2 to 3 feet grandiloquent , 1 to 2 pes wide
Structural Appeal : The seasonal structural from the long - lasting , thistle - like flowers are a front-runner among gardeners and pollinator alike . Spiky bracts hem in the snapper of each steely - racy bloom , resulting in a arresting focal point moment or an impressive drift in the middle of the boundary line .
Photo by : Rebecca Sweet
TORCH LILY (Kniphofiaspp.)
flora case : PerennialZones:5 - 9 , sometimes colder , depending on varietyHeight:2 to 4 metrical unit improbable , 2 foot wideStructural collection : The geomorphologic flashlight - shaped flowers are a highlight in the early summer garden , hold up for weeks at a time . Further emphasize the flowers ’ unique structure by surrounding them with contrasting condition , such as the soft , grassyCarex divulsaor the cushion - shapedEuphorbia polychroma . larn tritoma .
grease one’s palms kniphofia plants from Proven Winners
Tanner Garden . pic by : Rebecca Sweet
WEEPING WHITE MULBERRY (Morus alba’Pendula')
Plant eccentric : Deciduous treeZones:4 to 8Height:6 to 10 metrical foot tall , 8 to 12 feet wideStructural appeal : The unique umbrella build of the crying mulberry tree tree diagram shine brightest in the winter months , resulting in a sensational focal point . Once every last leaf has pretermit , the physical body create by the graciously weeping branch is a conversation slice in the garden like none other .
‘RUBY FALLS’ REDBUD (Cercis canadensis’Ruby Falls')
industrial plant type : Deciduous treeZones:5 to 9Height:8 to 10 feet tall , 3 to 4 animal foot wideStructural appeal : Ideal for a minor garden , patio , or container , the strange cascading branch of ‘ Ruby Falls ’ resemble a graceful falls . in truth a four - season plant , the colourful foliage delights throughout spring , summer , and fall , with wintertime ’s quiescence highlight its singular structure . Learn redbud trees .
‘SKY PENCIL’ HOLLY (Ilex crenata’Sky Pencil')
Plant type : evergreen plant shrubZones:6 to 8Height:6 to 10 feet marvelous , 1 to 3 foot wideStructural entreaty : resemble an exclaiming point in the garden , the rich and upright structure of the ' Sky Pencil ' holly adds a surprising jolt of excitation to the garden bottom . Use in a formal garden , to flank a pathway , or use as a exclusive specimen to wake up a border . Learn holly shrubs .
MYRTLE SPURGE (Euphorbia myrsinites)
Plant type : Evergreen succulentZones:5 to 8Height:6 inch high , spreading 2 to 3 feet wideStructural solicitation : Not all structural industrial plant must be oversized ; smaller groundcover can be equally magnetize . The spirals of the evergreen twisting stem are just as oculus - catching as the vivid chartreuse spring efflorescence , produce this a must - have for year - round interest . con to grow euphobia plants .
Wave Hill . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet
FEATHER REED GRASS (Calamagrostis acutiflora’Karl Foerster')
Plant type : Perennial ornamental grrassZones:4 to 8Height:3 to 6 feet tall , 2 understructure wideStructural ingathering : Beloved by garden designer everywhere ( and the recipient role of the 2001 Perennial Plant of the Year accolade ) , the towering , erect stems make a structural statement at the back of the border . This pasturage can be used alone as a focal point or massed together to produce an impressive trend that gently shake with the slightest piece of cake .
Washington Park Arboretum . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet
YELLOWTWIG DOGWOOD (Cornus sericea’Flaviramea')
flora type : Deciduous shrubZones:3 to 8Height:5 to 6 feet marvellous and wideStructural charm : The vibrant winter colouring and good social organization of this aboriginal dogwood tree make it an excellent candidate for a center or back of the borderline focal point . The upright branching structure also helps to launch the eye up , tot optical apparent movement and interest group to the garden .
Innisfree Garden . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet
WEEPING NORWAY SPRUCE (Picea abies’Pendula')
Plant character : evergreen plant shrubZones:2 to 8Height:8 to 20 feet marvellous , depending on how the plant is stakedStructural appeal : The dramatic snaky cast of the weeping Norway spruce resemble a waterfall when allowed to softly clothe over a wall . foreground its alone structure by using it as a breath - taking focal point in time for year - troll pastime .
DWARF GLOBE BLUE SPRUCE (Picea pungens’Glauca Globosa')
Plant type : Evergreen shrubZones:2 to 8Height:3 to 5 feet tall , 5 to 6 feet wideStructural appeal : The natural Earth shape of this compact bush , combined with its powdery - blue foliage , makes this a low - maintenance , yet impactful , structure plant for the garden . Take advantage of this shrub ’s visual compactness and unique form by using two to flank a pathway or place on either final stage of a perennial margin .
Cornerstone Garden . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet
CENTURY PLANT (Agave americana)
plant life type : Evergreen succulentZones:8 to 11Height:3 to 6 invertebrate foot tall , 6 to 10 feet wideStructural entreaty : No morphological plant list would be complete without include the majestic Century Plant — it ’s no wonder it won the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society . well suited for heavy garden , this succulent ’s vertical and oversized structure command attending , making it an idealistic focal point .
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7 TIPS FOR USING STRUCTURE IN THE GARDEN
Wave Hill ’s Flower Garden has a mass of evergreen plant structure from the unsloped ecphonesis full stop to the mound shrubs that ground the repeated bottom . Photo by : Rebecca Sweet .
