Create Your Garden

A Long-Lasting Summer Idea for your Borders with Bulbs, Perennials & Grasses

Perennial Combinations, Plant Combinations, Flowerbeds Ideas, Summer Borders

Garden Ideas, Border ideas, Perennial Planting, Perennial combination, Summer Borders, Allium sphaerocephalon,  Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote', Deschampsia cespitosa, Sedum 'Jose Aubergine', Santolina Pinnata subsp. Neapolitana, Pennisetum Setaceum Rubr

Be captivated by this contemporary prairie-inspired garden layout that masterfully blends a rich tapestry of textures, shapes, and hues. This composition gracefully marries graceful ornamental grasses with plants featuring dark purple leaves and blossoms. This aromatic, enduring border is not only drought-resistant but also largely free from pests and low-maintenance. This innovative arrangement was designed by Alexandra Noble for The One Show Garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in 2014.

The garden stars plants like Sedum ‘Aubergine,’ whose dark foliage contrasts elegantly with the golden plumes of Deschampsia cespitosa. Santolina pinnata subs. neapolitana adds an aromatic touch, while the deep-red inflorescences of Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ sway elegantly in the wind. For a pop of dramatic color, Allium sphaerocephalon, with its round purple heads, offers a striking display.

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ contributes fragrant lavender spikes, creating a multisensory experience. Euphorbia seguieriana subs. niciciana brings in a contrasting leaf shape and lighter hue, while Molinia caerulea subs. arundinacea adds height and fine texture to the planting scheme.

Each plant has been selected not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its hardiness and ease of care. Together, they make a garden setting that will keep you enchanted from spring through fall, requiring minimal care to maintain its breathtaking appearance. Enjoy!

Garden Information

Hardiness 8
Climate Zones 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Maintenance Low, Average
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Plants In This Garden

How Many Plants Do I Need?
Get Garden Design Ideas
Search Gardens

Learn About These Genera

Allium (Ornamental Onion)
Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Garden Information

Hardiness 8
Climate Zones 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Maintenance Low, Average
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Get Garden Design Ideas
Search Gardens

Similar Garden Ideas

Border Calculator

Recreate this garden. Specify the percentages you would like to have of each plant and input the dimensions of your garden space.We'll give you a shopping list so you know how many plants you need.

Specify plants percentage

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Sedum 'Jose Aubergine' (Stonecrop) N/A Buy Plants
Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair Grass) N/A Buy Plants
Santolina pinnata subsp. neapolitana (Green Santolina) N/A Buy Plants
Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' (Purple Fountain Grass) N/A Buy Plants
Allium sphaerocephalon (Drumstick Allium) N/A Buy Plants
Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' (Lavender) N/A Buy Plants
Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana (Siberian Spurge) N/A Buy Plants
Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea (Moor Grass) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone