DIY Network

Plants and Planting From "Weekend Gardening" episode WKG-209

The first step for every gardening project is to choose the location and prepare the soil for planting. Amending the soil with an all-purpose fertilizer will also ensure healthy plant growth. This garden has a background structure of bamboo and a deep shade area in the foreground.

A color wheel can be very helpful when picking color combinations for plants. It is similar in principle to the color values mentioned above--opposing color combinations create a visually exciting garden and help colors pop in the landscape. Purple enhances green; red vibrates against purple; orange shimmers beside yellow.

Variegated plants also help bring the illusion of sun to a dark area. Variegation is often the result of a virus in the plant. Breeders then use this mutation, even though the results can be unpredictable, to create new plant varieties. Color values can be found here also: always use the lightest colored variegated foliage in the darkest part of the planting bed.

advertisement

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

The following are the background plants used in this garden:

• Morning glory (Ipomoea Violacea), used to cover a dying tree and create a canopy of foliage.

• Variegated butterfly bush (Buddleja Davidii Harlequin) (figure A).

• Variegated bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Mariesii Variegata') (figure B).

• Variegated pampas grass (Cortaderia Selloana 'Sunstripe') (figure C), planted in masses to create billowy color.

• Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum Setaceum 'Rubrum') (figure D), which complements the pampas grass above.

• Forest pansy redbud (Cercis Canadensis) (figure E). Plant behind pampas grass and purple fountain grass for contrasting textures with tall thin grasses and wide heart-shaped leaves.

• Purple fringe flower (Loropetalum Chinense) (figure F), a reliable, low-maintenance, easy-to-grow shrub.

• Mirror plant (Coprosma Repens) (figure G), planted in masses. When planted in sun, the color intensifies.
  

RESOURCES :
Whitewater Rock & Supply
Whitewater Rock and Supply
Whitewater, CA 92282
Email: wwrock@aol.com
Website: www.whitewater-rock.com

Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Portland, OR 97221-3540
Phone: 503-977-7808;
Fax: 503-244-2745
Website: www.terranovanurseries.com

Simply Beautiful
Website: www.simplybeautifulgardens.com
Simply Beautiful
Website: www.simplybeautifulgardens.com

Plants from Monrovia Horticultural Craftsmen
Monrovia Horticultural Craftsmen
Website: www.monrovia.com

Garden Maker Software
Garden Maker Software
Email: mo@moplants.com
Website: www.moplants.com/garden_maker_software.html

WOLF-Garten of North America, L.P.
Minneapolis, MN Phone: 612-455-1500
WOLF-Garten of North America L.P.
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-455-1500
Website: www.ohmygarden.com

Whitney Farms
www.whitneyfarms.com

Chimney flue pipes
Logan Clay Pipes
Website: www.loganclaypipe.com

GUESTS :
Dennis Connor
18331 E. Foothill Blvd.
Azusa, CA 91702
Tollfree Phone: 800-999-9321
Email: dconnor@monrovia.com
Website: www.monrovia.com
VP/General Manager, Monrovia Nursery