Carol said she wants ideas for the front yard, back yard, and both side...and around the pool and the area by the front door. That's a lot, but I agree. They all need help. So we walked and talked about the landscape, what she likes, how much maintenance she wants, the type of plants she likes and doesn't like. And I told her I'd give her some ideas. But we agreed to keep it simple, and create a landscape that won't require much water, and can hold up to the winters we've had lately, and the summer heat we've had lately.
The design is done...mostly. And the plants are chosen...mostly. But, it's all subject to change.
The plants are nothing crazy or unusual, but they will all withstand those requirements. Here they are...
For a mostly shady spot, here are some annuals that will give you color all summer
-Impatiens come in a multitude of colors.
-Caladiums will also.
-And so will Pentas.
But if you don't want to have to replant every year, try these:
-Variegated Flax Lily
-Holly Fern
-Cast Iron Plant- now there are a number of different varieties to choose from.
-Yew Podocarpus works if you are looking for a shrub that will not get too big too quick and be more upright growing than wide.
-Desperado Sage is a selection that came from our native Cenizo. But it's more compact and blooms a lot more.
-Dwarf Oleanders were developed by a nurseryman named Ted Turner down in Corpus Christi. They bloom a lot more and they stay pretty short. Look for varieties like Trey Boy, Shari D, Carnival and Flirt.
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-Don't Dwarf Waxmyrtle will grow in full sun or even medium shade
-Dwarf Burford Holly will make a great hedge from 4' to 7' tall.
-Pink Lady Indian Hawthorn blooms in the spring and can be kept 3' or let it get 5' tall.
If you need a little privacy. These plants get tall and will be attractive while doing just what you want.
-Cherry Laurel will get about 10'-15' in 6 or 8 years
-Crapemyrtle- there are dozens of tall varieties to choose from. Read the info on the tag for mature height.
-Little Gem Magnolia is a compact variety that will get 15'-20' tall in about 10-15 years, but it's a lot more compact than Southern Magnolia. And it does have those huge white flowers.
-Giant Liriope is a great speciman that needs little to no care after it gets established.
-Sandankwa Viburnum is one of the most deer resistant plants we have here in central Texas. You can keep them under 4' tall by shearing them once a year.
-Pink Skullcap blooms on and off all summer.
Now let's talk about drainage.
Living in the Hill Country most of our yards have a slope to them. And when it rains, we know the water has to go somewhere...and this often it creates a problem when it does run off.
But you can create something attractive out of an eyesore. Here are examples of what some people did to deal with that.
-Sandankwa Viburnum is one of the most deer resistant plants we can use in Central Texas. It does well in sun or shade.
-Radiance holds it's variegation better than lots of variegated plants. It is relatively new and it will get about 3' tall in about 5 or 6 years. Most Abelias are deer resistant.
-Carissa Holly is a good dwarf holly that does well in the shade and is deer resistant. It's an old plant but can be hard to fine.
Good deer resistant plants for border plants are the sedges (Carex sp)
-Here is Blue Sedge
-Texas Sedge
-And my favorite Variegated Japanese Sedge.
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-Big Blue Liriope is said to be deer resistant but in some areas deer do eat it. Check the yards in your neighborhood before you plant too many. If you don't see any, there might be a reason.
-Baby Gem Boxwood is a good dwarf plant for light shade.
-Vinca major is a good ground cover for shady areas. You can also use Vinca minor and Variegated Vinca major. All Varieties has blue flowers spring and fall.
-Giant Liriope is a good specimen all alone in a landscape.
-Bicolor Iris won't bloom in the shade but it's good all alone.
-Texas Sotol is also great by itself. Every year it get bigger and better.
One of the most popular perennials used in Central Texas is Salvia greggii or Autumn Sage. They start blooming in the spring and continue thru the fall. There are lots of selections that bloom almost any color. Here we have purple, coral and white.
Two great deer resistant ground covers are Wooly Stemodia and Silver Ponyfoot.
-And probably the most popular perennial in Central Texas is Lantana. There are dozens of varieties. This one is Irene. It will get about 18"-24" tall most years.
-Nandina is one of the most deer resistant plants we can use in Central Texas, and there are a number of good varieties. This one is Gulfstream. It barely gets taller than 2' tall and in the winter the foliage takes on a reddish color.
-Prostrate or Trailing Rosemary is more like a shrub than an herb. And it will have small blue flowers in the summer.
-A good dwarf shrub for the shade is Carissa Holly. It can be hard to find but it worth the hunt.
That's it for today.
Any comments? If so, please let me know. My contact info is on the previous page.
Thanks.
Mark Bentsen
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