Plants with Personality

Is your plant a wallflower or the life of the party?

Garden design is far more than just choosing appropriate industrial plant for the site and properly space them in well - prepared dirt . It ’s about creating an get-up-and-go or temper that earn the owner or visitant feel easy and connected to the environs . As a garden designer , one way I do this is by selecting plants for their personality rather than just by whether they grow in sun or shade . I consider the demeanor that is portrayed through their weepy forms or jagged leaves . By look at plant in condition of the personality they fetch , you may match them with how you want to feel in your outside spaces . For lesson , you might desire to feel relaxed and unpretentious in your chamber garden but upbeat and energized in your more - social backyard .

identify how you desire to feel in the garden and personalizing that spirit is critical because what can coif a specific mood for one person may elicit a different mood in someone else . A coolheaded , soothing space might be a green lawn for one person and the understory of a large tree for another . The most efficient use of plant life personalities trigger personal associations and gives that “ lovesome and fuzzy ” flavor .

Just as what can spark off different garden moods varies from person to person , so does how we construe and define works personalities . If you look closely , however , you may nail trait that make up a personality or desired force . Certain characteristics , like a stiff attitude , subtle fragrance , or colorful exterior , can clue you into the personality of a plant . Once you get to recognize these marker , you could choose plants that have a personality that is tranquil , lively , or anything in between . Let ’s take a spirit at five personality that I on a regular basis use to pose a mood and personalize garden spaces .

To learn more

Relaxed plants are a welcome addition to private spaces

For many gardeners , their space is a place to escape to and unwind . One of the best ways to heighten this tone is with the introduction of “ relaxed ” plants , those with a loose , elegant intro and that are not fussy or atrociously elaborate . They wish to prompt us to put the pruning hook down or exit the laptop and relish the simple pleasures in life . The best relaxed flora require low maintenance so that we do n’t feel like we have to get up and do something every time we see at them .

Relaxed plants typically feature arc stems and an open , branch structure . Their leaves are often smooth or formed into simple shapes with aerodynamic edges , which are part of an overall down pattern that leads to the terra firma and reminds us to amount down and rest . They do not expose sharp or pick up color variation . It ’s always a bonus if their flowers release a fragrance that provides an aromatherapeutic effect . A mix of mainly relaxed works is often a welcome summation to private gardens near a sleeping room , work , or dining room .

Relaxed plants to consider

Brunneras(Brunnera macrophyllaand cvs . , USDA Hardiness zone 3–7)Japanese woods grasses(Hakonechloa macracvs . , Z 5–9)Calla lilies(Zantedeschiaspp . and cvs . , Z 8–11)Lilyturfs(Liriopespp . and cvs . , Z 6–10)Herbaceous peonies(Paeoniaspp . and cvs . , Z 3–8)Pigsqueaks(Bergeniaspp . and cvs . , Z 3–9)Hostas(Hostaspp . and cvs . , Z 3–9)Siberian cypress(Microbiota decussata , Z 3–7 )

Charismatic plants are the perfect garden greeters

magnetic plants append lick to the garden with their robust , prominent habits that soar upward from the earth . They command care and exude a full-blooded zestfulness for aliveness . Their habit is not completely rigid ; it is , alternatively , flexible and willing to trip the light fantastic with a gust of wind . Their leaf contour and colouring material can be quite wide-ranging but should always provoke the heart . The blooms of these gems are bright and face outward ; they look directly at you as if to say , “ Come and run with me ! ” Charismatics make the perfect garden welcomer at the entryway points of your house or outdoor spaces . They are the icing on the patty in areas buy at by kid , and they bring a snappy zip to pool patios or other social setting , peculiarly if you could expend them in masses .

Charismatic plants to consider

Bananas(EnseteandMusaspp . and cvs . , Zones 8–11)Miscanthus(Miscanthus sinensiscvs . , Z 4–9)Cannas(Cannaspp . and cvs . , Z 8–11)Pineapple lilies(Eucomisspp . and cvs . , Z 8–11)Cardoon(Cynara cardunculus , Z 7–10)Red - raging pokers(Kniphofiaspp . and cvs . , Z 5–9)Dahlias(Dahliaspp . and cvs . , Z 9–11)Tapiocas(Manihotspp . and cvs . , Z 7–11 )

Reliable plants are the aristocrats of the plant world

Sometimes all we postulate is reliability in the garden — not tawdriness or resplendency , just some square plant that will get the line done . Reliable plants are in the main unchanging and well grounded , with dense or tightly group leave of absence and insignificant blossom . They furnish calm pledge that all is veracious with the world and that there will be no surprises : What you see is what you get . They typically look salutary all year round .

true plant are ideal for highly trafficked , transitional region , such as near nerve tract direct to the front doorway or along a side yard . They are the aristocrats of the flora world and lick well in formal or conservative configurations , announcing that all is under control and properly in order . They are felicitous to be aggroup together or flux with more showy plant personality or eccentric garden sculpture . They do n’t beware let others take the stage while they create an unobtrusive backdrop .

Reliable plants to consider

Boxwoods(Buxus sempervirensand cvs . , Zones 6–8)Japanese pieris(Pieris japonicaand cvs . , Z 6–8)Heathers(Calluna vulgariscvs . , Z 4–7)Junipers(Juniperusspp . and cvs . , Z 2–9)Himalayan blueberry(Vaccinium moupinense , ezed 5–10)Rhododendrons(Rhododendronspp . and cvs . , Z 5–9)Japanese hollies(Ilex crenataand cvs . , Z 5–7)Spruces(Piceaspp . and cvs . , Z 2–8 )

Edgy plants stir the pot in any setting

Many skilful garden designs are not made up of just one personality eccentric ; they contain a pleasing combination of contrasting and symmetrical plant personalities to heighten the drama . When immix personalities , I often look to secondary personalities to fill in the picture . Secondary personalities are concentrated characters that you may not want to fill a whole way with but that can be intermittently usher in to swing the mood one means or the other . One of my favorite lowly personalities is “ jumpy . ”

At first glance , jumpy plants may make you recollect twice about derive too cheeseparing . Their leaves are often sword-shaped or come fit with thorns , pointy tips , or well - defined edges . With their unusual forms and arresting semblance , however , most multitude ca n’t facilitate but be intrigued . These provocative ravisher keep visitors on their toes and are an indication that an adventurous , unconventional nurseryman till the terra firma here . An extract of jittery plants works well in any area where you ’d like to stir the mint and add some excitement .

Edgy plants to consider

Agaves(Agavespp . and cvs . , Zones 9–11)Globe thistles(Echinopsspp . and cvs . , Z 3–9)Bear ’s breeches(Acanthus spinosusand resume . , Z 5–9)Italian arum(Arum italicum , Z 7–9)Cacti(Opuntiaspp . and cvs . , Z 11)Sea hollies(Eryngiumspp . and cvs . , Z 3–11)Elephant ’s ears(Alocasiaspp . and cvs . , Z 10–11)Yuccas(Yuccaspp . and cvs . , Z 4–11 )

Sociable plants play nicely with everyone

Like edgy plant , “ sociable ” are another climate swinger in the garden . They are a secondary personality that is always welcome and does n’t take itself too seriously . Their growth form are flexible and can often be found cavort along the ground or weaving between more - unbending plants for show their good side . These good - natured plants have almost a funny vim and play well with other personalities in every type of planting scheme , whether it ’s a long , mixed border that extend across the back of your holding or a small bed next to the mailbox .

Keeping personalities in mind when making your plant selections is an easy means to lay the mode that you ’re hoping to achieve . In some cases , you will recognize plants that can perform double responsibility with multiple personalities , like the forms of sociable yet relaxed dim mondo grass ( Ophiopogon planiscapus‘Nigrescens ’ , Zones 6–11 ) or jumpy , magnetic New Zealand flaxes ( Phormiumspp . and cvs . , Zones 8–11 ) . Before long , you will be able-bodied to apply this fresh position to flux and equal plants in a mode that ’s more kin to a family reunion or a fabulous dinner party , creating a garden space that strickle a electric cord and feed in your soul everyday .

Sociable plants to consider

Asters(Asterspp . and cvs . , zone 4–8)Lady ’s mantle(Alchemilla mollis , Z 4–7)Astilbes(Astilbespp . and cvs . , Z 3–8)Maidenhair fern(Adiantum pedatum , Z 3–8)Bigleaf hydrangeas(Hydrangea macrophyllaand curriculum vitae . , Z 5–9)Spireas(Spiraeaspp . and cvs . , Z 4–9)Catmints(Nepetaspp . and cvs . , Z 3–8)Yarrows(Achilleaspp . and cvs . , Z 3–9 )

Fine Gardening recommend Products

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Get our latest wind , how - to article , and instructional videos station to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Forcing Branches

Winter Blooms

How to Prune Lavender and Other Subshrubs

Pick Plants for Fragrance

unite okay horticulture for a free engaging live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a noted plant diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical director …

When I spotted a particular sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful color pattern …

When we only prioritise plant we want over plants our landscape pauperism , each season is fill with a never - end list of chore : pruning , pinch , tearing , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you enter the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to jaunt on something , but because you might be dive - bomb by a couplet …

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden

Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill

Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

All Access members get more

sign up up for afree trialand get admittance to ALL our regional mental object , plus the rest of the member - only cognitive content program library .

Start Free Trial

Get terminated website access to expert advice , regional capacity , and more , plus the print magazine .

Start your loose trial

Already a member?access