Improve my View

Lori said every day when she looks out her window (the photo is not her view) she sees flower beds that haven't been landscaped. Their house sits in a beautiful location. She wants to see a landscape that complements her location. I completely understand. She has sun, shade, slope, elevation, and, of course...deer. Here are some plants that will make the view a little better.

-Acanthus mollis will get about 2' tall and 3' wide in a few years. In the summer it will put on flower spikes that will get about 4'-5' all.

-Variegated Japanese Sedge will get about 12" tall, but there are some selections out there that get 24" tall. Don't let them get too dry and they will do great. Deer don't bother them.

-Orange Shrimp Plants are a favorite of hummingbirds. They will get about 2'-3' tall and usually freeze back in the winter, but return in the spring. Most other shrimp plants are not hardy.

-Rose Creek Abelia is a variety of Compact Abelia. It might get 3' tall and wide in 3-4 years.

-Gulf Stream Nandina will get about 3' tall and in winter it's leaves take on a orangish color.

-Dwarf Nandina will get about 2' tall in 5 years

-Coral Bells Heuchera is a hardy perennial that comes in quite a few different leaf colors and flower colors. Here are two. Chose the one you like.

-You can find green liriope under different names too. The oldest is Big Blue. Now one that's supposed to be a little taller is called Emerald Goddess. Either will work.

-Holly Fern is an evergreen fern in our area.

-Here's another compact Abelia-this is Radiance.

-Prostrate Rosemary is low growing and will trail over a wall.

-Dwarf Nandina will get about 18" tall and wide.

-Gulfstream Nandina will get about 2' tall and has great fall and winter color.

-Rose Creek Abelia will get about 30" tall and 3' wide and it blooms in the summer.

-Pride of Barbados has summer color that's hard to beat.

-Blue Plumbago blooms from spring thru November. And it's root hardy in central Texas.

-Oakleaf Hydrangea loves out alkaline soil and blooms in mid-late spring.

There are two Philodendrons to choose from. Xanadu has smaller leaves and stays a little smaller

-Splitleaf Philodendron huge leaves.

-Giant Leopard Plant has round leaves that are about 12"-15" around and it blooms in December. It doesn't like to stay very dry but it does like the shade.

-Bicolor Iris will bloom all summer if it's in full sun.

-Burgundy Blast Loropetalum has burgundy leaves and you can keep it 4' by shearing it once a year.

-Variegated Flax Lily can take sun or shade. it gets about 15"-18" tall and has sword shaped leaves.

-Wooly Stemodia is a ground cover that's not too aggressive and the deer won't eat it.

-Silver Ponyfoot is the same way.

-For summer color it's hard to beat crapemyrtle. Here we have Dynamite. This variety has dark red blooms and will get about 10' tall.

When looking for a "stand alone plant" to use as a focal point, you want something that will shine all year long. Here in central Texas it's hard to find that plant because most blooming plants bloom for a season or during the growing season. And the rest of the year they don't "shine." But some have other features that stand out. But as they say, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." And some say, it's a face only a mother could love. But here are a few unique plants that some might think fit the bill.

-Weeping Yaupon Holly- branches that grow downward toward the ground. It has red berries fall and winter. Evergreen.

-Anachaco Orchid Tree- beautiful white blooms in the spring...then it's done. So it only shines 2-3 months.

-Desert Willow- Summer flowers. Low maintenance. Only shines about 3 months. Deciduous.

-Forest Pansy Redbud- hot pink blooms in spring then purple foliage comes on. But in dry heat leaves will green up. Leaves fall off in the fall. So, it shines about 6 months.

-Rising Sun Redbud-Like Forest Pansy except yellow foliage and from what I've seen the foliage stays yellow until it falls off in the Autunm.

-Mexican Redbud- good bloomer. Smaller leaves than other redbuds and leaves are ruffled. But, not noticeable from a distance.

Some Succculents will stand out

-Texas Sotol- native plant that will get about 5' tall and wide. It will get about 5' tall and wide. As it ages it will put up bloom about 15' high but it's not overly exciting to look at. (some will disagree with that statement).

-Century Plant- this plant will get about 10' wide and almost as tall. After 8 to 10 years it will bloom and then die. The bloom will grow up about 20' tall. It puts on quite a show. And even though it dies, it does have some little plants at the base (they call them pups) that you can leave to grow another plant.

-Whale's Tongue Agave- This is related to the Century Plant, but it's much smaller. It will only get about 5' tall and wide after about 5-8 years. And it too will die after it blooms. But, unlike the Century Plant, it does not have any pups. You'll have to start all over. But it's a gorgeous plant.

And there are perennials

-Bells of Fire Esperanza- this selection blooms from April until October.

-Pride of Barbados blooms about the same April until October. this planting is 3 plants about 1' apart.

-Mexican Bush Sage is a Salvia that blooms from May until September. It will get about 5' tall and wide. It will freeze to the ground and come back every year. There are other varieties that only get 3' tall.

And then there are topiaries. These are plants that have been specially grown and trained for several years for a special look. Once these are installed in the garden they will need ongoing maintenance. Just like a Bonsai tree, I love the look these plants add to the garden

but don't have one in my yard. But I'm always on the lookout for the one I can't resist. These are just a few of the many different styles or designs you can find.

But if you can't find a plant that you really like, you might consider a water feature. Many you can install yourself. Others you might be a job for a professional.

These photos were taken at a local garden center that specializes in water gardens. (Hill Country Water Gardens in Cedar Park). They have an amazing assortment and even have classes to teach you how to install them yourself.

Good Luck finding what you like that makes your landscape come to life.