A Low Maintenance 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, Perovskia, Russian Sage, Drumstick Allium, Stipa barbata, Feather grass

Be captivated by this prairie-inspired garden arrangement that effortlessly blends the icy-blue spires of Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) with the dark purple globes of Drumstick Allium (Allium sphaerocephalon) and the striking silver plumes of Silver Feather Grass (Stipa barbata). The delicate, silky feathers of the grass seem to hover over the other plants, swaying gracefully with even the subtlest wind, creating an enchanting dance across the landscape.

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia): Known for its tall, airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers, Russian Sage is not just a visual delight but also hardy and drought-resistant. Its silvery-gray foliage serves as a lovely backdrop for the vibrant blossoms, which not only attract pollinators but also emit a subtle, sage-like fragrance.
Drumstick Allium (Allium sphaerocephalon): This allium species stands out with its small, oval, wine-purple flower heads. Blooming in early to mid-summer, these eye-catching bulbs add a punch of deep color and vertical interest to the garden. Highly drought-tolerant and unappealing to most pests, they are excellent for adding bursts of color between other plants.
Silver Feather Grass (Stipa barbata): The pièce de résistance of this arrangement is the ethereal Silver Feather Grass. Its fine, silky plumes catch the light and move with the breeze, creating a mesmerizing visual effect. This ornamental grass is not only beautiful but also highly adaptable to poor soils and drought conditions.

This unique border concept is well-suited for dry, sun-drenched areas of your yard or garden. The best part? It’s incredibly low maintenance. All featured plants are drought-resistant, virtually immune to pests and diseases, and unappealing to deer. So, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the natural spectacle without worrying about frequent upkeep. This combination offers a visually stimulating yet easily manageable gardening experience, making it an excellent choice for those looking to infuse a touch of prairie elegance into their outdoor spaces.

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Garden Information

Hardiness	6 - 9
Heat Zones	6 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Low
Soil Type	Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Dry Soil
Attracts	Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Plants In This Garden

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
Seasons	Spring (Late), Summer (Early)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	4" (10cm)

Stipa barbata (Silver Feather Grass)

Native to southern Europe, Stipa barbata (Silver Feather Grass) is an exceptionally beautiful and graceful perennial grass. Forming a dense clump of slender and upright arching foliage, this shimmering grass exhibits extraordinary, soft, silky silvery awns.

Hardiness	6 - 10
Exposure	Full Sun
Seasons	Summer (Mid, Late)
Height	2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread	1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)

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)

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Stipa (Feather Grass) Allium Perovskia (Russian Sage)

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Learn About These Genera

Allium (Ornamental Onion)

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.