Just as Fred and Ginger danced together as one, your landscape can waltz into spring with Perfect Partners of dazzling color. The secret is choosing the right partner. As a landscape designer, I select plants that complement each other for your garden.

The first consideration is the site itself full sun? Think pink or perhaps purple; with Loropetalum you can have both. Hot pink fringed flowers burst forth with spring and reappear into summer. The burgundy foliage of “Zhuzhou Fuchsia” maintains its’ dark color even in the heat of summer and can reach eight feet in height. This evergreen shrub looks dynamic espaliered on a trellis or trained as a hedge. Other perfect petal partners include Knock Out Rose and the new Double Knock Out. Remarkable roses that resist black spot and bloom from spring to frost. These beauties have been planted from Shore Drive to Colonial Williamsburg with the same stunning results.

Sachet over to the afternoon shade for ‘the show stopper’ Valley Valentine Pieris. Deep red buds and pendant flowers appear as tiny bells laced on a thread. New foliage growth is bronzy red and matures to glossy green. It is a slow grower that takes a little extra time to become well established but is worth the wait. Its compact form matures to about 5 feet tall and wide. As an early spring blooming evergreen shrub, it provides four seasons of interest when companioned with: Japanese Maples, Autumn Ferns, Camellias, Hydrangeas or twice-blooming Encore Azaleas.
A new “twist” on an old favorite is Kaleidoscope Abelia. This one has more ‘looks’ than Elvis. The details are featured on page 5. ‘Show-offs’ like this one partner well with the dark green leaf of Bordeaux Holly. This hard working member of the yaupon family is tolerant of wet feet, is deer resistant and is a dependable foundation plant.

When looking for perfect landscape partners select plants that have the same basic requirements. If you are new to gardening, plant tags are wealth of information. The basics are listed as sun, shade, wet, dry and size.

When evaluating a site with homeowners, the most ignored rule seems to be its mature size. If you have to prune a plant frequently to keep it below your windows, it is the wrong plant for that location. Plants are like puppies, cute when little but oh how they grow!

After a few false starts spring has sprung on Hampton Roads. Does your landscape need a spring tune-up? We are here to help, give us a call at 722-7463 ext. 311 and schedule an appointment today.

Home • What's Up • Good Living
Outdoor Living • About Us

Back to Top

Last Updated: 1/29/2007
all contents ©2007 McDonald Garden Nurseries.