Plant More Natives
  • Plant Store
  • Merchandise
  • Gift Cards
  • Join/Connect
  • About
  • Plant Store
  • Merchandise
  • Gift Cards
  • Join/Connect
  • About
Search

Native Perennials for the Front Foundation

3/16/2015

Comments

 
As a designer, I go through a fairly extensive process of developing the structure of the landscape before choosing the plants. With lawn, beds and transitions in place, I pick the combinations of plants for the different beds, focusing on the leaves of the specimen plants and shrub masses. They are  the bones of each design.  As I step the beds down to walkway or lawn space, the perennials begin to come into play.  They are, perhaps, the icing on the cake. Although the native perennial category is large, I am laser-focused on perennials that perform well in all seasons and, for the most part, take care of themselves.
I like to mix Heuchera, creating a kaleidoscope of at least three leaf colors, especially where I've settled on too many medium-green shrubs due to existing environmental conditions. This can be difficult to do given the exposure requirements of dark- versus light-colored Heuchera. Although Heuchera is considered a shade plant, keep in mind, the darker colors require several hours of morning sun. Planted in full shade, dark-leaved Heuchera simply melt away. On the other hand, the yellow- and chartreuse-colored Heuchera prefer more shade than sun to prevent leaf-burn. All perform well in dry to moist soil conditions. In containers, Heuchera also provide great, all-season-long, filler color and almost always outperform their peers in the ground.
Picture
Heuchera x villosa 'Georgia Peach'
A tremendous number of Heuchera villosa offspring have taken the nursery market by storm in recent years, many trying unsuccessfully to bust onto the tried-and-true stage. For now, I recommend sticking with the slightly older Heuchera that have consistently outperformed the newbies. In my journal, they are Heuchera villosa 'Autumn Bride', Heuchera x villosa 'Caramel', 'Georgia Peach', 'Berry Smoothie' and 'Pistache'. I may be adding 'Georgia Plum' this season as well.
Picture
Heuchera x v. 'Georgia Plum'
Picture
Heuchera x v. 'Pistache'
Picture
Heuchera x v. 'Caramel'
Next week, we'll continue with native perennials for the foundation. Have a great week!
Comments
    Picture
    Karen
    Welcome to my journal. For over 20 years I've created original landscape plans to help homeowners increase property value and really enjoy their yards. I approach every project as an unique opportunity to develop a work of living art, one that will require minimal care and age beautifully with time. In this journal, I will share some of my field experiences and tricks of the trade with you. Feel free to email questions. Thanks for visiting.

    Archives

    February 2019
    January 2018
    September 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

Follow Us

Copyright © 2023 Plant More Natives, LLC, Richmond, Virginia. All rights reserved.

Customer Care

Contact Us
Order and Shipping  Information

​Go-To Native Plant List
Eastern US Butterflies & Host Plants

Nectar Sources for Beneficial Bugs
Food Sources for Mason Bees

Go-To Green Mulch
Natives for Containers
Bloom Height Chart
Botanical Name Cheat Sheet


Picture
Picture
  • Plant Store
  • Merchandise
  • Gift Cards
  • Join/Connect
  • About