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

Sedum 'Jose Aubergine' (Stonecrop)

Long-lived and drought tolerant, Sedum ‘Jose Aubergine’ is a lovely sight in the landscape with its masses of deep, dusky pink flowers, densely packed in large umbrella-shaped flower heads, and showing off atop dark purple stems clad with deep, rich aubergine, fleshy leaves.

Hardiness	3 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair Grass)

One of the few ornamental grasses that grow well in moderately shady locations, Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair Grass) is a clump-forming, cool season, semi-evergreen grass forming a low and dense tussock of narrow, dark green leaves, up to 18 in. tall (45 cm). In early summer, elegant clouds of delicate feathery panicles of purplish-green to tawny flowers emerge on arching stems rising 3 ft. (90 cm) above the foliage.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Santolina pinnata subsp. neapolitana (Green Santolina)

Santolina pinnata subsp. nepolitana (Green Santolina), a favorite of Mediterranean gardens, is a beautiful evergreen shrub noted for its attractive foliage, profuse midsummer show of long-stalked, button-like bright yellow flowers.

Hardiness	8 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' (Purple Fountain Grass)

Requiring very little care and providing striking color as well as graceful movement in the garden or patio, Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’ (Purple Fountain Grass) has become a real favorite among gardeners

Hardiness	9 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)
Spread	2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm)

Allium sphaerocephalon (Drumstick Allium)

Allium sphaerocephalon or ‘Drumstick Allium’ is a lovely addition to the border where it adds interest and movement with its dense egg-shaped flower heads atop straight and slender stems, delicately turning from green to purple as they mature. Blooming in late spring to early summer, this spectacular bulbous perennial adds some dramatic color to the garden

Hardiness	4 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Late), Summer (Early),
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	4" (10cm)

Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' (Lavender)

Highly popular, English Lavender ‘Hidcote’ is a free flowering variety that is prized by most gardeners for its long-lasting and delightful scent as well as the fashion in which its dark purple flower spikes beautifully contrast with its blue-green evergreen foliage. Hidcote is a perfect choice for low hedges, edging or creating borders. Excellent for crafts and dried flowers as they retain their color.

Hardiness	5 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid),
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana (Siberian Spurge)

A great structural plant! Notable for its peculiar flowers and handsome foliage, Euphorbia seguieriana subsp. niciciana is an upright, bushy perennial which is perfect to brighten any border.

Hardiness	6 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea (Moor Grass)

Molinia caerulea subsp. arundinacea (Purple Moor Grass) is an exceptionally lovely and graceful ornamental grass. Tall, with an open growth habit, it exhibits arching thread-like leaves topped in summer with a haze of delicate flower spikes, that sway gracefully in the slightest breeze.

Hardiness	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	4' - 8' (120cm - 240cm)
Spread	2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm)

How Many Plants Do I Need?

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.