Four-season, Foliage-centric Planting Bed for Full Sun

This low-maintenance plant combination is anchored by a Natchez crape myrtle, which is much admired for its gorgeous bark, summer-blooming panicles of white, and its excellent fall color. Also white blooming, the Cistus is a mounded shrub with evergreen, gray foliage and it pairs nicely with the finely-textured blue foliage of the upright,  drought-tolerant juniper. Around it all, masses of the finely-textured, evergreen Carex testacea create a carpet of weed-suppressing copper foliage. This vignette looks great year-round and would be a good choice for adding curb appeal to a sun-soaked front yard garden. A planting plan is available for download that will help you get the quantity and spacing right as you incorporate this planting combination in your garden.

Like the idea, but gardening in the shadier spot? Check out this related combo—a similar layout using different plants suited to part shade.


Growing Conditions

Zone: 8, 9
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun, Reflected Heat
Water Needs: Average, Drought-tolerant, Low, Regular / Even

Design Considerations

Style: City and Courtyard, Mediterranean, Northwest Eclectic
Features: Varied Foliage, Texture, and Form, Drought Tolerant, Fabulous Foliage, Fall Color, Four Season Appeal, Low Maintenance, Winter Interest
Focus: Year-round Interest, Curb Appeal, Hellstrip / Parking Strip, Mixed Border, Saving Water, Pleasing Seasonal Flow, Small Space
Seasons of Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Year-round Interest, Pleasing Seasonal Changes, Three Seasons of Interest

Care and Maintenance


Maintenance Level: low



Plants In this Combo