Sun-Loving Combination with Zippy Foliage & Flower

Strongly contrasting burgundy and yellow foliage and red blooms make a zippy statement in this simple vignette of drought tolerant plants. This planting combination has good all-season structure thanks to the strong vertical form of the Swane's Golden Italian Cypress, the golden foliage of Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', and the copper toned tufts of Carex testacea on the ground. The floral show is carried by the vibrant red blooms that cover the flower carpet rose all summer. The smokebush offers up a pleasing sequence; starting with richly colored burgundy foliage in spring, billowing flowers in summer from which its name is derived, and a good display of fall color. This planting scheme makes a nice deciduous screen as drawn, or adapt the planting schematic to a hell strip by adjusting for visibility from both sides, and to fit a longer, more narrow space.


Growing Conditions

Zone: 7, 8, 9
Exposure: Afternoon Sun, Full Sun
Water Needs: Drought-tolerant, Low

Design Considerations

Style: Mediterranean
Features: Varied Foliage, Texture, and Form, Drought Tolerant, Fabulous Foliage, Fall Color, Hot Vibrant Colors, Warm Colors, Winter Interest, Uses Easy-to-Find Plants
Focus: Curb Appeal, Hellstrip / Parking Strip, Mixed Border, Privacy and Screening, Saving Water, Pleasing Seasonal Flow
Seasons of Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Pleasing Seasonal Changes, Three Seasons of Interest, Year-round Interest

Care and Maintenance


Maintenance Level: medium



Plants In this Combo