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An interesting, structured setting like this garden deserves interesting, structured plants. The following selections, which grow in prominent areas of the zig-zag bed, provide bold accents through their distinctive shapes and vibrant colors.
1. ‘Gold Mound’ Spirea (Spiraea japonica* ‘Gold Mound’)
Zones: 3–8
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide
Conditions: full sun; Well-drained soil
Local Range: Japan
This spirea is a versatile accent, with bright foliage and a perfectly rounded growth habit. It blooms with pale pink flowers and can be pruned in mid-summer to promote fresh foliage.
2. ‘Royal Purple’ Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’)
Zones: 4-8
Size: 15 to 20 feet tall and 12 feet wide
Conditions: full sun; Evenly moist, well-drained soil
Local Range: Southern Europe, Western and Central Asia.
This shrub displays oval-shaped leaves that emerge red, turn to maroon, and then turn red again to fall. It naturally grows into a large, bushy form, but you can control its size and shape with hard pruning.
3. Russian sage (Salvia yangii syn. Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Zones: 5-9
Size: 3 to 5 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide
Conditions: full sun; Well-drained soil
Local Range: Central Asia
The delicate, airy leaves of Russian sage blend well with the sturdy wood in this garden. Its strong upright form and pale purple-blue flowers provide an undeniable contrast to nearby companions.
4. Red-petaled rose (Rosa glauca)
Zones: 2-8
Size: 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide
Conditions: full sun to partial shade; Well-drained soil
Local Range: Southern Europe
This rose grows in a bushy, upright form with dense, smoky purple leaves that are glossy beneath. Its shape, color, and texture make it a standout in the landscape.
5. Little Devil™ Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Donna May’)
Zones: 3–7
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall and wide
Conditions: full sun to partial shade; Dry to medium well-drained soil
Local Range: Eastern North America
Little Devil™ is a dwarf purple leafy neobark with finely textured leaves on stick-like, upright stems. Its dark foliage is offset by its beautiful pinkish-white flowers.
From Bagicha Bazaar #210
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