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July 29, 2010

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High Voltage
a hot-color garden
 
If vibrant, sizzling garden color is what you're looking for, this design is made to order. Fiery shades of golden-yellow, orange, and scarlet are the attention-getters here, but it is the addition of complementary rich purple and cooling lavender that makes the combination really distinctive. Silvery Artemisia and Buddleia foliage, along with feathery ornamental Grasses, serve not only as mediators between the bold colors, but also as structural elements that will lend year-round beauty to the border. Reaching its full glory at the height of summer, the show will continue well into early fall, thanks to late-flowering Asters and ornamental Grasses joining the parade of prolific summer bloomers. To use this strong color scheme most effectively, remember that bright colors appear closer than they actually are. So a garden area viewed from a distance is a perfect location for your hot-color border. The beauty of this energizing combination is not only its visual appeal but its ease of upkeep. All of the selected plants are perfectly at home in average garden soil and have modest watering requirements. These tough, easy-care varieties will give you year after year of low-maintenance, long-season enjoyment.
Plant in groups of three except where indicated.
a. Achillea 'Paprika'
Height 24-30", Spacing 18-24".
j. Euphorbia polychroma
Height 18", Spacing 12-18".
b. Artemisia 'Powis Castle'
Height 24-36", Spacing 18-24".
k. Heliopsis 'Summer Sun'
Height 36-48", Spacing 24-36".
c. Artemisia 'Silver Cascade'
Height 6-12", Spacing 18-24".
l. Knautia macedonica
Height 24", Spacing 15-18".
d. Aster 'Purple Dome'
Height 18", Spacing 15-18".
m. Miscanthus 'Sarabande' (1)
Height 5-7', Spacing 36-48".
e. Aster 'Schone von Dietlikon'
Height 36", Spacing 15-18".
n. Monarda 'Mahogany'
Height 36", Spacing 18-24".
f. Buddleia 'Purple Emporer' (1)
Height 4-6', Spacing 5-6'.
o. Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'
Height 36", Spacing 24-36".
g. Calamagrostis arun. var. brach. (1)
Height 48-54", Spacing 24-36".
p. Penstemon 'Scarlet Queen'
Height 24", Spacing 15-18".
h. Coreopsis 'Baby Sun'
Height 12-18", Spacing 18-24".
q. Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm'
Height 24-30", Spacing 15-18".
i. Deschampsia 'Bronze Veil'
Height 36", Spacing 24-30".
r. Salvia 'May Night'
Height 18-20", Spacing 12-15".
This garden includes 72 plants of 18 cultivars. Substitutions of similar plants may be made if some varieties are not available.
 
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helpful hints
  • High Voltage is a garden to be viewed from a distance. Plant away from paths and entry ways to capture the visual appeal of intense colors.
  • If you are fond of Grasses, add more, such as Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster,' Stipa tenuissima, and Miscanthus 'Gracillimus.'
  • You can have a hummingbird haven by adding more Buddleia of different colors, such as 'Sungold', 'Harlequin', and 'White Profusion.'
  • Be sure to give the larger Grasses and Buddleias plenty of space, at least three feet between plants.
Credits: Etera Perennial Guide, Vol. 1, 1999
 

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