Although not
commonly recommended as the best season to plant, establishing a border garden
in late summer can be an advantageous time.
While enjoying the outside environment, we have occasion to assess our
property.
In the
photos, you can see our client noticed he was looking at a stark fence instead
of a border of interest. Rather than the
customary wall of upright evergreens, which is uninteresting, we chose to
utilize color and texture by establishing flowering shrubs, trees, and
ornamental grasses.
Included in
our design was the use of three Tuscarora Crape Myrtles, which bloom from July
through September. Accompanying them are
Hydrangea paniculate ‘Phantom’, Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon), Clethra
alnifolia ‘Ruby Spice’ (Summersweet), and Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’ (Switchgrass). All of these plants possess a long season of
floral interest.
Summersweet
is a native flowering shrub found throughout New Jersey. Of particular interest is its beautiful
flower, which attracts hummingbirds. Switchgrass
is a native prairie grass common throughout the Northeast. The variety ‘Shenandoah’ has burgundy red
foliage. It is best to not cut back
ornamental grasses until spring so the foliage can provide winter
interest.
So, in these last days of summer, enjoy assessing your own yard.
