Room design ideas
Many flowering plants, including shrubs, perennials and annuals, attract hummingbirds. Here are a few favorites suitable for growing in containers: Aloe (Aloe spp) Beebalm (Monarda spp) Dianthus (Dianthus spp) Daylily (Hemerocallis spp) Foxglove (Digitalis spp) Mexican honeysuckle (Justicia spicigera, zones 9 to 11) Lantana (Lantana spp) Penstemon (Penstemon spp) Petunia (Petunia spp) Salvia (Salvia spp) Summer phlox Incorporating moss and lichen into your wildlife container is another way to attract hummingbirds; they use those materials to build their nests. More flowers hummingbirds adore Shown: Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, zones 3 to 9) and beebalm (Monarda sp)
The occasional glimpse of a hummingbird or butterfly stopping by for a drink is one of the many reasons people enjoy a garden in flower. But what if you have little or no room to plant a garden, let alone one that attracts butterflies or hummingbirds? Even if your garden space is limited to a balcony, a patio or simply a windowsill, you can use containers to create a mini habitat filled with nectar-producing plants that are sure to attract your favorite flying visitors. You’ll also be decorating your outdoor space with the color and beauty of flowering plants. Landscape by Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting Email Save The whirring of hummingbirds’ wings and the sight of their brilliantly colored throat as they hover around flowers is pure delight for those lucky enough to see them. Attracting hummingbirds to the areas surrounding your home (or office), where you can see them close up, is easily done by adding flowering plants that draw them in with the promise of sweet nectar. Here, a Costa’s hummingbird flies around the purple flower spikes of Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha, USDA zones 8 to 10; find your zone) at the Desert Botanical ...
When designing a container garden for shade, it’s natural for plants like begonias, fuchsias and impatiens to top the list. Don’t get me wrong, these plants are fantastic and are a great way to add color to a design. However, ferns can be just as eye-catching and are especially useful for providing structure, color and dramatic impact. Here’s a list of fabulous ferns sure to liven up your next shade-container design. Modern Landscape Modern Landscape Email Save Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora, USDA zones 6 to 9; find your zone) is an evergreen fern with bronze-colored new growth. Its arching habit adds a graceful, soft look to containers. Team it with bold textured plants, such as mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata), seen in this image, or hostas, for added contrast and drama. It grows to 2 feet tall and wide, requires occasional watering once established and prefers light to deep shade. Its deer resistance is a bonus.
5. Cool tones. Colors in the green, blue and purple spectrum are considered cool colors. Cool colors evoke a sense of calm and freshness. They help us feel relaxed and peaceful. Note how the purple of the Japanese painted fern picks up on the dark stems of the maiden fern, and the tiny bell-shaped flowers of the lily-of-the-valley dance throughout the planting. Delicate and wispy mix beautifully with bold in this enchanting New York garden. Plant combo: Northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum, zones 3 to 8) ‘Frances Williams’ plantain lily (Hosta sieboldiana ‘Frances Williams’, zones 3 to 8) Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis, zones 2 to 7) Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum, zones 3 to 8) Light requirement: Partial shade to full shade Water requirement: Regular water
5. Cool tones. Colors in the green, blue and purple spectrum are considered cool colors. Cool colors evoke a sense of calm and freshness. They help us feel relaxed and peaceful. Note how the purple of the Japanese painted fern picks up on the dark stems of the maiden fern, and the tiny bell-shaped flowers of the lily-of-the-valley dance throughout the planting. Delicate and wispy mix beautifully with bold in this enchanting New York garden. Plant combo: Northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum, zones 3 to 8) ‘Frances Williams’ plantain lily (Hosta sieboldiana ‘Frances Williams’, zones 3 to 8) Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis, zones 2 to 7) Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum, zones 3 to 8) Light requirement: Partial shade to full shade Water requirement: Regular water
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) I never thought this would be an annual I would use in my own garden. I considered sweet alyssum rather old fashioned — the flower of Victorian-style bed designs, typically combined with red geraniums and blue lobelias. My perspective changed when I needed a quick, inexpensive filler this summer. Since this little ground cover is usually available in bedding packs, it fit the bill. I used it to loosely edge a long border, weaving drifts around larger shrubs and roses along the way. The result was a glorious, romantic froth of pure white flowers that scented the garden with the smell of honey from spring until fall. Although considered an annual, in many areas it will self-seed and reappear the following year — or even be an herbaceous perennial.
Fragrant Angel Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Fragrant Angel’) With coneflowers in shades of red, orange and yellow, as well as the better known pink and white, how do you choose? My solution is to include several, but I like to make sure at least one of them is fragrant, and I think Fragrant Angel is one of the best. I have heard its perfume described as that of baby powder and heliotrope — to me it leans more toward vanilla. Origin: While the species is native to the U.S., this is a garden hybrid. Where it will grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 4 to 9) Water requirement: Drought tolerant once established Light requirement: Full sun but will tolerate partial shade Mature size: 30 inches tall and 20 inches wide when blooming When to plant: Spring or fall
Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) Whether you consider sweet autumn clematis a vicious thug or a vigorous vine, you can’t help but love the fragrance it brings to the late-season garden. The starry white flowers have a smell reminiscent of honey. Origin: Japan Where it will grow: Hardy to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (zones 5 to 9) Water requirement: Average Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade Mature size: 20 to 30 feet tall and wide When to plant: Spring or fall Note: This plant may be considered invasive in your area. Check with your local extension office before planting.
Eternal Fragrance Daphne (Daphne transatlantica ‘Eternal Fragrance’) There are many daphne to choose from, perhaps the most popular being those that bloom in late winter and early spring. Eternal Fragrance begins flowering in midsummer, but as you can see from this fall container, it continues to bloom many months later. The smallest sprig of these pale pink trumpet flowers can perfume an entire room; a small bush can easily fill a courtyard or patio with its intoxicating scent. The fragrance is like no other. Perhaps jasmine with spicy overtones? Maybe a hint of orange blossom? You’ll just have to grow daphne and decide for yourself.
An outdoor fountain placed in a garden bed will draw more birds than one set in a tiled courtyard. The surrounding foliage offers safety and gives birds a quick hiding spot from predators. Even a simple stone basin filled with water can offer a much-needed spot where ground-feeders can drink. Keep the water level topped up on particularly hot days when birds need it the most and water evaporates quickly.
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