DIY Network

Desperate Landscape: Strike Up the Band Some new plants, a wooden trellis and some fresh paint turn a drab dwelling into a showplace. From "Desperate Landscapes" episode DDSL-105

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The newly planted flower bed

Planting Beds

Erin and Bryan's yard is rectangular in shape, but we used a sod cutter to create a planting bed with curving lines, except where the bed meets the sidewalk. There, we created 90-degree angle to make for easier mowing.

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Erin and Bryan's Plants

• 'Diablo Ninebark' Standard
  The diablo ninebark is an interesting shrub and, in this case, it's been grafted onto a tree trunk. It has purple leaves that turn almost black in summer. The Diablo produces white flowers in June and July. Established plants are drought tolerant. The foliage color looks best in sun. This ninebark performs well in zones 2-7.
  Cost: $57.50 each.

  'Diablo' ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius

  'Diablo' ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius

  
  

• 'Endless Summer' Hydrangea
  This hydrangea is relatively new and has won rave reviews for its ability to bloom on both old and new wood, which means the shrub produces flowers all season long and it can be pruned at any time. 'Endless Summer' is also very cold tolerant and is more resistant to mildew than some hydrangeas. It blooms pink or blue depending on the soil pH. It performs well in zones 4-9.
  Cost: $362 for 7 of plants.

  'Endless Summer' hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla

  'Endless Summer' hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla

  
  

• 'Little Lamb' Hydrangea
  This hydrangea was chosen for its white flowers which bloom from mid-July to fall. It got its name because the flowers are said to look like little lambs. The 'Little Lamb' can grow 6-8 feet high and 5-6 feet wide. It performs well in zones 3-9.
  Cost: $36 each.

  'Little Lamb' hydrangea

  'Little Lamb' hydrangea

  
  

• 'Shamrock Inkberry' Holly
  This holly is a dwarf, native evergreen that's tolerant of a variety of conditions. Its leaves resemble those of a boxwood. It grows 3 to 4 feet high and wide and performs well in much of the country (zones 5-10).
  Cost: $305 for 7 plants.
  Maintenance Tip: The holly can be pruned to any desired height.

  'Shamrock Inkberry' holly Ilex glabra

  'Shamrock Inkberry' holly Ilex glabra

  
  

  Japanese hydrangea Schizophragma hydrangeoides

• Japanese Hydrangea Vine
  This climbing vine grows up flat, vertical surfaces. It's prized for its heart-shaped leaves and white hydrangea-like flowers. It blooms in June and July.
  If it doesn't take off right away, be patient as it's often slow to establish. It performs well in zones 5-8.
  Cost: $45.
  Maintenance Tip: Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth.
  

  'Autumn Joy' sedum Sedum telephium

• 'Autumn Joy' Sedum
  The sedum were planted near the garage for two reasons. First, they're small enough to fill the narrow strip between the sidewalk and the garage. Second, they can tolerate the dryness of the area since it's under an overhang. Flower heads form in July, and in August they start to turn pink then fade to red. In the fall, they are a rusty-red. The sedum can grow to about 18-inches tall and spread 18 to 24-inches.
  The sedum will attract butterflies.
  It performs well in zones 3-10.
  Cost: $239 for 16 plants.