This foliage-driven, mostly-monochromatic planting scheme reads elegant and sophisticated. The bold, white variegated foliage of the Fatsia 'Spider's Web' adds sparkle and drama. Though not evident in this photo, the Podocarpus alpinus 'County Park Fire' adds a lot of changing color to the mix; it takes on bronze tones in winter and its new growth is creamy aging to pink. The anchoring, foundational plants in this scene are the speckled Japanese aralia, Podocarpus , and the Astelia nivicola 'Red Gem'. These three plants are evergreen and make for an easy-care garden combination offering year-round good looks. To add further depth and interest to this planting scheme, try adding Heuchera 'Green Spice' and Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' at the edges.
Zone:
7,
8,
9
Exposure:
Open Shade,
Filtered Sun,
Morning Sun,
Part Shade,
Full Shade
Water Needs:
Average
Style:
Modern,
Northwest Eclectic,
Woodland
Features:
Varied Foliage, Texture, and Form,
Romantic Cool Colors,
Fabulous Foliage,
Winter Interest
Focus:
Color Theme,
Year-round Interest,
Pleasing Seasonal Flow,
Small Space
Seasons of Interest:
Spring,
Summer,
Fall,
Winter,
Year-round Interest,
Pleasing Seasonal Changes,
Three Seasons of Interest
Maintenance Level:
low
Red Gem Astelia
Type:
Perennial, Tender Perennial
Exposure:
Full Shade, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
Zone:
8, 9, 10
Speckled Japanese Aralia
Type:
Shrub
Exposure:
Full Shade, Part Shade, Deep Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
Zone:
7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Green Spice Coral Bells
Type:
Perennial
Exposure:
Part Sun, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
Zone:
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Blue Mouse Ears Hosta
Type:
Perennial
Exposure:
Full Shade, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
Zone:
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Alpine Plum Yew
Type:
Conifer, Shrub
Exposure:
Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Deep Shade, Morning Sun, Open Shade
Zone:
7, 8, 9, 10, 11