Simple effects

On a recent visit to Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, my eye was captured by a number of displays where the design concept was extremely simple. Perhaps more importantly, they were ideas they would be easy to replicate in any home garden. You know it is a good idea if they are doing it in a public garden.

A redbud underplanted with Epimediums. This must be beautiful in spring when both are in flower ahead of the appearance of their foliage. 

Boxwood balls interplanted with the herb dill.

I love the contrast of the airiness of the dill with the down to earth solidity of the boxwood. Despite the height of the dill, it does not obscure the view of the sculpture at the center of this garden. 

I fell prey to temptation on an early nursery visit, seduced by the dramatic foliage of the Coleus plants. But I never really figured out how or where to put them once I got them home.

This struck me as a perfect solution. You can admire all the various colors and patterns of the Coleus and add or subtract pots as necessary. It's an idea that would work with any number of annual plants. And it brings color and life to a major walkway that does not have available planting space.

Comments

[Barbara H.]

I got behind on reading but now I'm caught up. I'm glad you've been able to get some work done in your garden but also been able to get out and about. And to be able to host a gathering, too! It's great news.

[Linda Brazill]

BARBARA — Looks like we are going to have some cooler weather for a while so that will make working outdoors much nicer. Just ended 3 days that hit the 90°F.  Ugh. Our coffee group  are all vaccinated and we were outdoors so it was very safe and was lots of fun as well.

[danger garden]

Yep... totally need to steal that coleus in pots idea. I can't ever come up with a place to sink them in the garden, and just one in a container looks silly. But en masse... excellent!

[Kris P]

There's a garden display I pass every time I go down the hill into town like that - I keep meaning to hike over there with a camera. I love the coleus idea. I was just looking at a selection of the plants at my local garden center but I couldn't think where to put them so I passed on by...

[Frank]

Haha, I just potted up a few caladium this afternoon in the hopes of getting an effect similar to that of the coleus. Mine are all in black plastic pots and not terra cotta, and they'll be lining a dirty concrete sidewalk rather than anything more esteemed, but I can dream, right?
I think simple effects can also be less maintenance... I hope!

[Dee]

Visiting botanical gardens always gives me ideas. Layanee DeMerchant turned me on to epimediums, and I've never looked back. I love them in my shade garden. They are so beautiful. Some of them have light orange leaves when they are new. ~~Dee

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I love all the colors of coleus. Put together like this makes me think of looking into a kaleidoscope.