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  • Low-Maintenance Landscape for Busy Parents
    		•
    Custom-Made Planters, Easy Plants: A Fresh Look for This Front Yard
    From "Desperate Landscapes"
    episode DDSL-205


    (Continued from page 2)

    Tom and Laura's plants

    Jason's plan calls for extending the existing planting bed in front of the porch by about six feet.

    Here are the plants, plus a summary of their characteristics and care, that were chosen for the Glassmans' landscape:

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    PHOTO

    'Sullivan' cypress
    'Sullivan' cypress
    Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Sullivan'

    The 'Sullivan' cypress was chosen as a strong vertical accent that will help frame the house. As an evergreen, it will also provide privacy on the porch.

  • Bluish-green needles
  • It grows to about 20 feet tall or more (in some locations).
  • It grows well in full sun to partial shade.
  • It's very hardy and performs well through USDA Zone 5.
  • Cost: $258

    PHOTO

    Inkberry holly

    Inkberry holly
    Ilex glabra

    This holly is a dwarf, native evergreen that's tolerant of many different growing conditions. Jason planted 8 inkberry hollies in front of the porch. They were chosen because they won't get too tall and they can be pruned to a desirable height.

  • The inkberry holly doesn't have thorns
  • It grows three to four feet tall and wide.
  • It does well in much of the country (USDA Zones 5-10).
  • Cost: $47 each

    PHOTO

    Itea
    'Scarlet Beauty' itea
    Itea virginica 'Scarlet Beauty'

    Itea is prized for its white pipe-cleaner-type flowers in late spring and dark red leaves in the fall.

  • This itea grows up to five feet tall and four to five feet wide.
  • It does well in full to part sun.
  • It attracts butterflies
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 4
  • Cost: $120 for 4

    PHOTO

    Arborvitae 'Woodwardii'
    'Woodward' arborvitae
    Thuja occidentalis 'Woodwardii'

    Arborvitae is typically a tall, pyramidal evergreen; Woodward is a compact globe-shaped version, growing about four feet tall and wide. For this project, one Woodward arborvitae was planted on each side of the sidewalk to create a focal point by the front door.

  • It does well in full sun or part sun.
  • This arborvitae tolerates deer.
  • USDA Zones 2-7
  • Cost: $92 each

    PHOTO

    Korean azalea
    Korean azalea
    Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense

    The Korean azalea is evergreen in areas with mild winters but loses its leaves in colder climates.

  • It has purplish flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
  • It usually grows about four feet tall, but it can reach six feet tall.
  • It does not like "wet feet" so plant in well-draining soil.
  • It does well in USDA Zones 4-9.
  • Cost: $362 for 7
  • Maintenance tip: Mulch with organic material to retain moisture, enrich the soil and moderate soil temperature.

    PHOTO

    'Silver Dragon' liriope
    'Silver Dragon' liriope
    Liriope muscari 'Silver Dragon'

    'Silver Dragon' is a highly variegated form of liriope. For this project, Jason planted 38 Silver Dragon liriope to visually connect the beds on both sides of the sidewalk.

  • 'Silver Dragon' liriope has green leaves with silvery stripes.
  • It grows about 10 inches high and 15-18 inches wide.
  • 'Silver Dragon' liriope is a great plant for groundcover or edging.
  • Expect pale purple flowers in summer, followed by berries.
  • It does well in much of the country (USDA Zones 6-11).
  • Cost: $322 for 38
  • Maintenance: Remove old foliage in early spring before new leaves emerge.

    PHOTO

    Eastern redbud

    Eastern redbud
    Cercis canadensis)

    A small, deciduous tree with purplish early-spring flowers, the Eastern redbud was chosen for this project because it mimics the woodsy feel of the yard, and the Glassmans' neighbor has one just like it. Finally, the canopy of the redbud will not hide the Glassman's house.

  • It's one of the best flowering trees — recognized for its beautiful clusters of rosy pink flowers
  • Flowers appear on leafless branches in early spring and are followed by reddish-purple leaves that turn green.
  • It grows to about 15-20 feet tall and 15 feet wide, but it can grow bigger.
  • It does well in full sun to part sun and is low maintenance.
  • It does well in USDA Zones 4-9.

    PHOTO

    'Million Bells' calibrachoa
    'Million Bells' calibrachoa
    Calibrachoa 'Million Bells'

    Calibrachoa is an annual, related to the petunia, that produces prodigious quantities of blooms. Here, Jason used 'Millions Bells' to provide instant color in the Glassmans' front yard. They will need to be replaced every year.

  • Calibrachoa looks like miniature petunias.
  • Fast-growing and self-cleaning
  • Calibrachoa thrives in full sun.
  • It come in many colors from lavender to blue to yellow.
  • Calibrachoa works well as a groundcover, in containers or in baskets.

    PHOTO

    'Dragon Lady' holly
    'Dragon Lady' holly
    Ilex meserveae 'Dragon Lady'

    Considered the perfect columnar holly, 'Dragon Lady' hollies were planted in containers on each side of the front door.

  • It can grow up to 20 feet high and six feet wide, but you can keep it in check with pruning.
  • Deer-resistant
  • USDA Zones 6-8




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  		• Rustic Porch Swing: Preparing the Timber
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  • ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  		• Low-Maintenance Landscape for Busy Parents
    		•