Easy-care Border with Foliage Focus

This simple planting combination relies on fantastic foliage for its multi-season good looks. It's super easy to recreate and easy to maintain, though a word to the wise: it's important to get the spacing right between your "forever plants", in this case the Silver Mist deodar cedar and the Japanese maple (read more about that idea here). If doing so feels too sparse,  plant a few more of the shorter-lived, less costly purple moor grass around them that you can remove or transplant as needed to allow for the unencumbered growth of the anchoring plants. For easy-care blooms, consider allowing Geranium 'Rozanne' to the mix, allowing her to tumble around the base of the conifer and maple.


Growing Conditions

Zone: 6, 7, 8
Exposure: Filtered Sun, Full Sun, Morning Sun, Part Sun
Water Needs: Average, Regular / Even

Design Considerations

Style: City and Courtyard, Naturalistic, Northwest Eclectic
Features: Fabulous Foliage, Fall Color, Low Maintenance
Focus: Curb Appeal, Mixed Border, Privacy and Screening, Pleasing Seasonal Flow, Small Space
Seasons of Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall

Care and Maintenance


Maintenance Level: low



Plants In this Combo