This sun-worshipping, drought-tolerant, foliage-centric planting combination in warm apricot, coral and mahogany tones is a low maintenance scheme that relies on foliage color and plant form to provide year-round good looks and a pleasing seasonal flow. Forming the evergreen frame is the strongly upright, finely textured blue evergreen form of Juniperus 'Blue Arrow', the wispy, orange mounds of Carex testacea, and clumps of heuchera foliage in rich mahogany tones. The new spring foliage Berberis 'Orange Rocket' is especially vivid and remains attractive throughout summer until it's finale of showy fall color. Chartreuse foliage of Robert Chapman heather makes a nice evergreen ground cover but is especially valued for the rich red and burgundy tone it develops in fall that persists into winter. For flower power, blooming over a long period from late spring and well into summer, the scene is further enlivened by the apricot blooms of Geum 'Totally Tangerine'. This plant combo is quite deer-resistant, though gardeners report mixed experience with heuchera in respect to deer damage. Give it a try, watch for damage, and adjust accordingly.
Zone:
7,
8,
9
Exposure:
Afternoon Sun,
Full Sun,
Part Sun
Water Needs:
Average,
Drought-tolerant,
Low
Style:
Mediterranean,
Northwest Eclectic
Features:
Deer Resistant,
Fabulous Foliage,
Warm Colors,
Winter Interest,
Uses Easy-to-Find Plants
Focus:
Mixed Border,
Pleasing Seasonal Flow
Seasons of Interest:
Spring,
Summer,
Fall,
Winter,
Pleasing Seasonal Changes,
Three Seasons of Interest,
Year-round Interest
Maintenance Level:
medium
Orange Rocket Barberry
Type:
Shrub
Exposure:
Full Sun, Part Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
Zone:
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Robert Chapman heather
Type:
Groundcover, Shrub
Exposure:
Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Afternoon Sun
Zone:
5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Orange Sedge
Type:
Grass / Grass-Like, Groundcover, Perennial
Exposure:
Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Afternoon Sun, Morning Sun, Reflected Heat
Zone:
7, 8, 9, 10
Geum
Type:
Perennial
Exposure:
Full Sun, Part Sun, Afternoon Sun
Zone:
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Mahogany Coral Bells
Type:
Perennial
Exposure:
Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade
Zone:
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Blue Arrow Juniper
Type:
Conifer, Shrub
Exposure:
Full Sun, Part Sun, Afternoon Sun, Reflected Heat
Zone:
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9