Foundation Planting Combination with Handsome Foliage and Winter Flowers

A collection of easy-to-grow plants that share a hearty constitution are the basis of this handsome foundation plant combination. The duo of evergreen shrubs with complementary foliage texture and color provide a year-round frame for the other plants. The larger, gold-edged leaves of Elaeagnus 'Gilt Edge' speak to the finely-textured yellow foliage of the low-growing box honeysuckle, Lonicera nitida 'Twiggy'. Position the Elaeagnus where you need to create a backdrop or screen for privacy. The lower-growing box honeysuckle can massed at its feet and cover the ground around the base of the vine maple. In fall, the native vine maple puts on a reliable show of color—often in red to orange; sometime in shades of yellow. In winter, the lenton rose is covered with apple-green blooms. They're the smallest plant in this vignette and would be most effective en masse along the front edge(s). 

Implement this combination as-is to add curb appeal to your front yard with a super easy-care vignette that doesn't sacrifice good looks. Or you could easily supplement this combo with a few additional plants to round it out and provide summertime color. For example, Geranium 'Gerwat' Rozanne or a similar variety of hardy geranium, would be a nice addition. 


Growing Conditions

Zone: 7, 8
Exposure: Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Part Sun, Open Shade, Part Shade, Full Sun
Water Needs: Regular / Even, Occasional

Design Considerations

Style: City and Courtyard, Naturalistic, Northwest Eclectic, Woodland
Features: Fabulous Foliage, Four Season Appeal, Harmonious Colors, Low Maintenance, Varied Foliage, Texture, and Form, Warm Colors, Winter Interest, Fall Color, Uses Easy-to-Find Plants
Focus: Curb Appeal, Mixed Border, Goofproof Maintenance, Pleasing Seasonal Flow, Year-round Interest
Seasons of Interest: Pleasing Seasonal Changes, Three Seasons of Interest, Year-round Interest, Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Care and Maintenance


Maintenance Level: low
Maintenance Tasks: Deadheading



Plants In this Combo

  • Acer circinatum

    Vine Maple

    Type: Tree
    Exposure: Part Sun, Full Shade, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
    Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8

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  • Elaeagnus × ebbingei 'Gilt Edge'

    Variegated Hybrid Elaeagnus

    Type: Shrub
    Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun, Full Shade, Part Shade, Deep Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
    Zone: 7, 8, 9, 10

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  • Helleborus 'Ivory Prince'

    Ivory Prince Lenten Rose

    Type: Perennial
    Exposure: Part Sun, Full Shade, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
    Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

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  • Lonicera nitida 'Twiggy'

    Twiggy Box Honeysuckle

    Type: Shrub
    Exposure: Part Sun, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
    Zone: 7, 8, 9

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