Design

5 Bold Plants With Stunning Structure

Fine Gardening – Issue 210
Bold Plants With Stunning Structure
The theme of strong shapes extends to plant choices. The zigzag bed is full of contrasting plant structures, with woodies chosen for their strong mounded forms and the spiky, textural perennials selected for their upright foliage.

An interesting, structural layout like the one in this garden deserves interesting, structural plants. The following selections, which grow in prominent areas of the zigzag bed, provide bold accents through their distinctive forms and vibrant colors.

 

1. ‘Gold Mound’ spirea (Spiraea japonica* ‘Gold Mound’)

upclose of ‘Gold Mound’ Spirea
Photo: courtesy of Warren Leach

Zones: 3–8

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Native range: Japan

This spirea is a versatile accent, with bright foliage and a perfectly rounded habit of growth. It blooms with pale pink flowers and can be pruned in midsummer to promote a fresh flush of leaves.

 

2. ‘Royal Purple’ smokebush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’)

upclose ‘Royal Purple’ Smokebush
Photo: courtesy of Diana Koehm

Zones: 4–8

Size: 15 to 20 feet tall and 12 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; evenly moist, well-drained soil

Native range: Southern Europe, western and central Asia

This shrub displays oval-shaped leaves that emerge red, shift to maroon, and then turn red again for fall. It naturally grows into a large, bushy form, but you can control its size and shape through hard pruning.

 

3. Russian sage (Salvia yangii syn. Perovskia atriplicifolia)

upclose Russian Sage
Photo: courtesy of Jennifer Benner

Zones: 5–9

Size: 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun; well-drained soil

Native range: Central Asia

The delicate, airy foliage of Russian sage mixes well with the sturdy woodies in this garden. Its strong upright form and light purple-blue flowers provide undeniable contrast to nearby companions.

 

4. Red-leaved rose (Rosa glauca)

upclose Red-Leaved Rose
Photo: courtesy of Diana Koehm

Zones: 2–8

Size: 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil

Native range: Southern Europe

This rose grows in a bushy, upright manner with dense, smoky purple leaves that sport glaucous undersides. Its form, color, and texture make it a standout in the landscape.

 

5. Little Devil™ ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Donna May’)

upclose Little Devil™ Ninebark
Photo: https://millettephotomedia.com

Zones: 3–7

Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide

Conditions: Full sun to partial shade; dry to medium well-drained soil

Native Range: Eastern North America

Little Devil™ is a dwarf purple-leaved ninebark with fine-textured leaves on wandlike, upright stems. Its dark foliage is thrown into relief by its dainty pink-white flowers.

 

From Fine Gardening #210

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