Border stylings courtesy of Kim Toscano at Southern Living Plants. When the experts speak, it’s good for us to pay attention. So here is another offering that is worthwhile, as “Borders are an essential ingredient…”.
Expert Advice by Kim Toscano
Borders are an essential ingredient in the well-designed garden bed. Edging plants serve to accentuate the lines of a garden, including pathways and bed boundaries. Borders may also be used to soften hard edges and smooth transitions. The height and mass of a border can vary considerably, so long as it is scaled to surrounding plants and hardscape. Plants with golden, chartreuse and lime-colored foliage make excellent borders, as their colors combine with just about anything. These bright hues provide emphasis and enlarge small spaces.
1. Evercolor® ‘Everillo’ Carex
Purple heucherellas like ‘Twilight’ and ‘Cracked Ice’ complement the golden hues of Evercolor® ‘Everillo’ Carex. Evercolor® ‘Everillo’ Carex brightens shady corners and illuminates the understory garden. Plant ‘Everillo’ along walkways and paths to light the way. You can also create a vertical container garden with Evercolor® ‘Everillo’ Carex.
2. ‘Sunshine’ Ligustrum
Plant a warm welcome along your entry walk with a bit of ‘Sunshine’ Ligustrum. Borders come in all shapes and sizes. ‘Sunshine’ can be clipped and shaped or maintained in its natural form. For a stunning accent, plant Little Black Magic™ Dwarf Elephant Ear and purple flowering perennials alongside ‘Sunshine’. Here are more five ways to put ‘Sunshine’ Ligustrum to work in your landscape.
3. ‘Lemon Lime’ Nandina
Line your garden with vibrant color. Here the lime green foliage provides striking contrast to a slate walkway. Try pairing ‘Lemon Lime’ with ‘Twilight’ Heucherella for drama or ‘Buttered Rum’ Heucherella for a warmer complement. ‘Lemon Lime’ Nandina is particularly striking when paired with complementary purple shades to highlight its unique, cheerful color.
4. ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia and Evercolor® ‘Everillo’ Carex
Luxuriant texture and strong architecture make for an elegant display when ‘Soft Caress’ Mahonia and Evercolor® ‘Everillo’ Carex pair up. Use this duo to edge sharp corners, soften hardscape and brighten shady walkways. Bright yellow winter blooms on ‘Soft Caress’ provide an echo of color while ‘Lemon Lime’ Nandina carries the lighter hues upward.
5. Loropetalums
Another stunning combination features Loropetalum under planted in golden rays of foliage supplied by gold moneywort. Purple Pixie® and Purple Daydream® are two dwarf loropetalum varieties sized right for border plantings.
