A Lovely Contemporary Garden Idea

Plant Combinations, Summer Borders, Patio Gardens

Garden Ideas, Landscaping ideas, Agapanthus africanus Albus, Agapanthus Northern Star, Agapanthus Silver Moon, Agastache Black Adder, Deschampsia cespitosa, Eryngium bourgatii, Hydrangea arborescens Annabelle

This lovely contemporary garden, rich in texture and interest, features a dining terrace with a cedar patio table cantilevered over an area richly planted with drifts of Verbena bonariensis, Nepeta faassenii ‘Six Hills Giant’, Agastache ‘Black Adder’, Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’ and Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’. All of this is delicately veiled by Deschampsia cespitosa.

The fresh color palette ranges from shades of blues to purples to whites with the intent of cooling and calming down an outdoor area overheated after a warm summer day.

Several cultivars of Agapanthus are present, some with dazzling silver variegated foliage (Agapanthus ‘Silver Moon’), others with rounded clusters of the darkest blue (Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’) or of the purest white (Agapanthus africanus ‘Albus’), all creating a rich delightful effect.

At the back of the lush plantings, are the luminous white blossoms of Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’, the fascinating vertical spikes of Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Album’, and the airy clusters of pendulous lavender flowers of Thalictrum rochebrunianum.

Designed by Paul Martin for the Hampton Court Flower Show in 2014, who would not want to join a garden party in such gorgeous surroundings?

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Garden Information

Hardiness	8
Heat Zones	5 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Maintenance	Average
Water Needs	Low, Average
Soil Type	Loam
Soil pH	Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance	Deer, Rabbit
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders, Small Gardens
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

Plants In This Garden

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
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Agapanthus Silver Moon (African Lily)

Prized for its attractive variegated foliage, Agapanthus Silver Moon (African Lily) is a herbaceous perennial that enlivens the summer garden with its brightly striped silvery-white, strap-shaped leaves. In summer, the foliage is topped with abundant rounded clusters of trumpet-shaped, lavender-blue flowers, which rise with majesty on stiff, upright stalks. Featuring a nice compact habit, this dwarf Agapanthus is ideal for small gardens or containers.

Hardiness	7 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Agapanthus 'Northern Star' (African Lily)

Free-flowering, Agapanthus ‘Northern Star’ (African Lily) is a striking herbaceous perennial boasting showy rounded clusters of dark blue, star-shaped flowers from mid to late summer. They rise on stiff, upright stalks atop clumps of beautiful, deciduous, glossy green leaves tinged with deep violet at the base.

Hardiness	6 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Agapanthus orientalis 'Albus' (African Lily)

Adding a bright splash to the flower border, Agapanthus orientalis ‘Albus’ (African Lily) is an evergreen herbaceous perennial with eye-catching, rounded clusters, up to 10 in. across (25 cm), packed with over 100 crisp white, trumpet-shaped flowers.

Hardiness	8 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Agastache 'Black Adder' (Giant Hyssop)

Hardy and reliable, Agastache ‘Black Adder’ (Giant Hyssop) is a charming herbaceous perennial boasting bottle-brush, terminal spikes, 6-8 in. long (15-20 cm), packed with fragrant, tubular, two-lipped red-violet flowers emerging from dark buds.

Hardiness	6 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
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
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Eryngium bourgatii 'Picos Blue' (Mediterranean Sea Holly)

Eryngium bourgatii ‘Picos Blue’ (Mediterranean Sea Holly) is a lovely addition to the garden or mixed containers for various reasons. Unlike other species, its deeply lobed, dark green foliage, which appears before the flowers, is elegantly marbled with broad silvery-white veins, making it very attractive and luminous.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)

Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' (Smooth Hydrangea)

A favorite of many gardeners – and deservedly so – Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ (Smooth Hydrangea) is an outstanding flowering shrub. In early summer, this small, bushy deciduous shrub produces huge, rounded flower clusters, up to 12 in. across (30 cm), that brighten shady areas and bring life to the garden. Blooming for up to two months, the blossoms open lime-green, mature to brilliant white, then back to pale green in late summer before switching to a tan shade in the fall.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)
Spread	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)

Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint)

Very free flowering and one of the tallest, Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ (Catmint) is a vigorous herbaceous perennial noted for its billowing, aromatic, gray-green foliage that is topped with 9-12 in. spikes (22-30 cm) of rich violet-blue flowers in early summer with repeat blooms throughout the growing season.

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)

Salvia yangii (Russian Sage)

Salvia yangii (Russian Sage) is a bushy, woody-based deciduous perennial with long terminal panicles of small, lavender-blue flowers, borne on thin white stems, clad with finely-dissected, aromatic gray-green leaves. Blooming for weeks from mid-summer to fall, this delicate-looking plant is a toughy that is resistant to drought, heat, pests, and poor soils.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spread	3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)

Thalictrum rochebrunianum (Meadow Rue)

Majestic, tall, and slender, Thalictrum rochebrunianum (Meadow Rue) is favored for its lacy, refined, bluish-green foliage and its airy open clusters of pendulous, lavender flowers with conspicuous soft-yellow centers and gorgeous sturdy purple stems. Adding elegant vertical lines to the garden and clouds of rosy-lavender blooms, it blooms later than other Meadow Rues, from mid to late summer, but longer (up to 6 weeks).

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun, Partial Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)

Winner of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society, Verbena bonariensis is a tall and slender-stemmed perennial that displays rich lilac flowers in tight clusters atop long stems that sway gracefully in the summer breeze. They rise well above rosettes of lance-shaped, dark green leaves that hug the ground. A superior nectar plant, hummingbirds and butterflies love it, and so will you!

Hardiness	7 - 11
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall
Height	3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm)
Spread	1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)

Veronicastrum virginicum 'Album' (Culver's Root)

Extremely showy, Veronicastrum virginicum’ displays eye-catching spikes of densely-clustered, tiny, pure white flowers with pink-flushed bases and pink anthers, from midsummer to early fall. With a candelabra look, these attractive inflorescences are nicely complemented by lanceolate, dark-green leaves that are arranged in whorls around the stem. Providing interesting vertical height in the garden, this plant is deer resistant, attracts scores of butterflies, and is highly prized for its cut flowers

Hardiness	3 - 8
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late), Fall
Height	4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm)
Spread	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)

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Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas

Eryngium (Sea Holly) Hydrangea Agastache (Hyssop) Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) Lavandula (Lavender) Nepeta (Catmint) Perovskia (Russian Sage) Verbena Thalictrum (Meadow Rue) Veronicastrum (Culver's Root)

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Alternative Plants to Consider

Agapanthus Headbourne Hybrids (African Lily)

Hydrangea arborescens Incrediball® (Smooth Hydrangea)

Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ (Giant Hyssop)

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ (Lavender)

Learn About These Genera

Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver’s Root)

Agastache (Hyssop)

Agapanthus (African Lily)

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.