On a hot, summer day, why not garden in the shade? Following are six favorite hostas and why they deserve a spot in your garden. 

Hosta 'Praying Hands'

Why it's worthy: unusual leaf shape, award-winning
How to use it:  along a path in the shade garden, in meditation garden, with religious statuary, planted with ferns


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Hosta 'City Lights'
Why it's worthy: thick, corrugated leaves, 24"x36" 
How to use it:  give it a couple hours of morning sun for best coloring; pair with pink astilbe or purple heuchera (coral bells). 

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I am always amazed when I drive by homes that have absolutely no foundation plantings around them.  It not only diminishes the "curb appeal", but leaves the property lacking in personality. Whether the home is decades old or recently built, they all can be transformed with a little TLC (Tasteful Landscape Composition).





















CONSIDERATIONS

I recently worked with a customer who purchased a home that had not been previously landscaped.  For me it was a designer's dream...a blank canvas to work with.  After viewing the property and taking photos, I also took notes as to what type of plants to specify, keeping in mind the following considerations:

• Soil conditions
  
• Sun/shade requirements
• Seasonal color/interest
• Customer preferred plants
• Height to accommodate windows
• Level of maintenance required/desired
• Maintaining balance and creating a focal point
• Color of home and surrounding walls/structures
  

Utilizing our new landscape design computer program here at Burlington Garden Center, I was able to make a list of plants that would work and set about creating a design that satisfied the above-mentioned criteria.

SOLUTIONS

• 'Quick Fire' Hydrangea tree (left-hand side of arched window) - unique specimen plant to add interest and color from summer to fall

• 'Bobo' Hydrangeas (under arched window) - low-growing variety to maintain unobstructed view and summer blooms
• 'Coppertina' Ninebark shrub (right-hand side of arched window) - add height and accent the red tones of the brick
• 'Green Mountain' Boxwood (right of front porch) - provides winter color and unobstructed window view
• 'Crimson Queen' Japanese Maple (right corner of house) - perfect specimen plant for protected northeast corner and once again draws out red tones
• Maiden Hair grasses - a request from the husband and adds winter interest and movement 
• Landscape boulder - creates a focal point
• 'Quick Fire' Hydrangea shrub - repeats color, texture and balance with 'Quick Fire' tree form above
• 'Gro-Lo' Sumac (in front of lower planting bed) - great solution for sloping bed and adds brilliant fall color
• 'Crimson Pygmy' Barberry (right-hand side of lower bed) - provides winter color/interest and continues repetition of red tones in brick and retaining walls

Plants were also selected for the soil condition and ease of maintenance for the homeowner.

If you would like more information on our Landscape Design Services, call 262.763.2153 or send an email to: info@burlingtongardencenter.com


Belinda Abendschein
Landscape Designer, Nursery Manager
Burlington Garden Center