Plant Selection - Landscape Project Details

As we finish up our landscape project that was the subject of the blog in the last week or two, I wanted to highlight our plant selections for the project. Of course we start with a gorgeous flagstone patio as a backdrop. The home sits on an acre lot filled with native oaks. The view from the house and backyard is rich with interest and texture - no staring at a wooden fence 35 feet from your back door like many of us do on small suburban lots! We created two moderately sized beds positioned for views from the inside of the home. We wanted to reinforce the flagstone by using chopped block as edging for the beds and we are adding moss boulders for height and texture as well. We're sticking with a single large boulder in one bed and three moderately sized boulders in the other bed. The eye always loves odd numbers in landscaping - unless you are dealing with a formal look with strict symmetry. In addition to the boulders, we selected plants that add glossy, evergreen color, interesting texture and are "Texas friendly"...meaning they can take the HEAT! We chose Carissa holly as a the backdrop behind the boulders. We're adding star jasmine to a trellis on the long expanse of wall that borders the patio on one side. The last bit of texture comes from dwarf fountain grass that will fill the space between the boulders and the edge of the patio. Grasses add softness and verticality to any landscape bed. The front of both beds facing the home will be filled with annual color - and lots of it. Pansies in the cooler months will work well and Cora periwinkle (one of my hot weather favorites) will provide the punch in the warmer months.
I will post pics when the beds are established. I hope you've enjoyed this transformation as much as I have! Have a great weekend!