Fiery Combo for Full Sun Garden

This plant combination in fiery tones for full sun will hold up to the heat of high summer. An abundance of flowers over a long period will keep it colorful and fun, producing enough blooms to have cut flowers to enjoy in a vase as well as in the garden.

This vignette is especially suited for smaller gardens thanks to the dwarf stature of its anchoring shrub, Winecraft Black® Smokebush. If you’re gardening in a larger space and/or have difficulty finding this recently introduced variety, Cotinus 'Grace' would make a fine substitute, though you’ll want to re-evaluate quantity and spacing to accommodate its larger size.

Though this plant combination includes some all-season structure—a carpet of coppery-color grass and the strictly upright spires of the finely-textured blue conifer—this plant combination peaks summer into fall, so keep that in mind in terms of where you situate it in your garden.


Growing Conditions

Zone: 7, 8
Exposure: Full Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
Water Needs: Drought-tolerant, Occasional, Low

Design Considerations

Style: City and Courtyard, Mediterranean, Northwest Eclectic, Wildlife Friendly, Waterwise
Features: Attracts Pollinator, Drought Tolerant, Fabulous Foliage, Flower Fest, Hot Vibrant Colors, Harmonious Colors, Varied Foliage, Texture, and Form, Warm Colors, Wildlife Friendly, Deer Resistant
Focus: Hellstrip / Parking Strip, Saving Water, Cutting Garden, Color Theme
Seasons of Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Pleasing Seasonal Changes, Three Seasons of Interest

Care and Maintenance


Maintenance Level: medium
Maintenance Tasks: Deadheading



Plants In this Combo