This plant combo for a mixed border delivers continuous bloom over several months in summer, and maintains interest through fall when the coral bark maple takes on yellow fall color and the Stipa gigantea blooms glow in the low, autumnal light. In winter, the red stems of the maple and structural forms of the hebe and phormium take center stage. In the Pacific Northwest, phormium are borderline hardy and the inclusion of this plant in this combo accounts for the zone rating of USDA 8; be prepared to replace it after particularly cold winters.
Zone:
8
Exposure:
Afternoon Sun, Full Sun
Water Needs:
Average, Low
Style:
Northwest Eclectic
Features:
Fabulous Foliage, Fall Color, Flower Fest, Varied Foliage, Texture, and Form, Winter Interest
Focus:
Mixed Border, Pleasing Seasonal Flow
Seasons of Interest:
Fall, Pleasing Seasonal Changes, Spring, Summer, Three Seasons of Interest, Winter
Maintenance Level:
medium
Coral Bark Japanese Maple
Type:
Tree
Exposure:
Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
Zone:
5, 6, 7, 8
Sutherland hebe
Type:
Shrub
Exposure:
Full Sun, Afternoon Sun
Zone:
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Sundowner New Zealand Flax
Type:
Perennial, Shrub, Tender Perennial
Exposure:
Zone:
8, 9, 10, 11
China Rose
Type:
Rose, Shrub
Exposure:
Full Sun, Afternoon Sun
Zone:
6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Caradonna Sage
Type:
Perennial
Exposure:
Full Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
Zone:
5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Giant Feather Grass
Type:
Grass / Grass-Like
Exposure:
Full Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
Zone:
7, 8, 9, 10