{"id":1969,"date":"2017-03-05T12:00:59","date_gmt":"2017-03-05T17:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kimcookhome.com\/kchblog\/?p=1969"},"modified":"2017-03-20T10:45:07","modified_gmt":"2017-03-20T14:45:07","slug":"nonflower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kimcookhome.com\/kchblog\/nonflower\/","title":{"rendered":"Non-Flower Gardens: 50 Shades of Green, Plus Other Colors"},"content":{"rendered":"

KIM COOK
\nAssociated Press
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While beds tumbling with flowers are lovely, there\u2019s an emerging trend in landscape design: the flowerless garden.<\/p>\n

Non-traditional gardens are no less green. In fact, the hue is often more obvious than in a floral-filled space. Varieties of leafy shrubs, trees, vines and grasses create a verdant vista, even in small gardens. An additional perk: these gardens may be significantly easier to maintain than a plot full of posies.<\/p>\n

Justin Hancock of Costa Farms, a nursery in Miami, describes two types of non-traditional gardens: \u201cOne is a soothing, naturalistic garden that\u2019s filled with different shades of green,\u201d he says. \u201cThe other is a little more flamboyant and uses variegated plants to bring in splashes of color.\u201d<\/p>\n

Both offer a pleasing aesthetic in all seasons, and you don\u2019t need to worry about plants going in and out of bloom.<\/p>\n

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 SERENITY<\/div>\n

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\nA Zen-like garden keeps the focus on the garden structure itself, with greenery that\u2019s calming.<\/p>\n

Shawn Fitzgerald of the Kent, Ohio-based Davey Tree Company, thinks hardscaping should also be a consideration in these gardens.<\/p>\n

\u201cA water feature always adds a nice element \u2014 a pond, or a creek, with the sound of running water. It\u2019s especially nice if you have some lush foliage over the water,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

He encourages adding of rocks, perhaps some large and small boulders strategically placed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, of course, benches are always great,\u201d Fitzgerald says. \u201cWho doesn\u2019t like to sit and reflect in a peaceful garden, under some nice shade cover?\u201d<\/p>\n

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 VISUAL INTEREST<\/div>\n

Hancock suggests using variegated shrubs or trees to add color and texture to a garden. Give similarly hued plants like hostas, dusty miller and succulents a tonal frame by placing them next to bluestone pavers, he suggests. Or play with scale perception by graduating dark and light greenery along a pathway.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of my favorite ways to make a small space feel larger is to plant varieties that have rich green, purple, or orange foliage up front, and incorporate white-variegated leaves at the back. Because the light color recedes, it creates an optical illusion of more space,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

 No matter what hardiness zone you\u2019re in, there\u2019s one annual he recommends for any non-traditional garden.<\/div>\n

\u201cColeus is one of the most versatile foliage plants you can choose. Some tolerate full sun, but most grow in shade, too,\u201d he says. \u201cYou can get varieties in so many colors. Redhead, which is a personal favorite; Campfire, which is purple and orange; chartreuse Wasabi; gold Honeycrisp. Plant these in the spring, and enjoy them right through the fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sweet potato vine is another easy-care annual, with multi-colored varieties.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn the perennial side, hostas are beautiful shade plants that thrive from Alaska way down to Texas,\u201d says Hancock. \u201cVariegated liriope has a wide planting range, and has deep green, grassy leaves edged in gold or silver.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heuchera, also known as coral bells, \u201cis another perennial that, like coleus, offers tremendous versatility with leaves in a wide range of colors, and varieties that thrive in sun or shade,\u201d Hancock says.<\/p>\n

Fitzgerald recommends palm trees for southern zones 8-11. Gardeners in the Mid-Atlantic might consider cool-season grasses that bloom early, and warm-season ones that bloom at summer\u2019s end. For the Northeast, varieties of conifers provide year-round greenery.<\/p>\n

 Hancock\u2019s pick for a great North American native shrub is ninebark.<\/div>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s practically bulletproof, and offers colorful foliage,\u201d he says. \u201cDiabolo is an older variety that has deep purple leaves from spring to fall and grows big, making it a stunner. Dart\u2019s Gold is a smaller variety, with golden-chartreuse leaves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Red twig dogwood, elderberry and variegated Japanese white pine would also provide all-season interest, he notes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe key to a garden where flowers aren\u2019t the focus is foliage,\u201d says Fitzgerald. \u201cThere are lots of trees, shrubs and plants with stems, fruit and foliage of different sizes, shapes and textures. Just because there aren\u2019t flowers doesn\u2019t mean your garden can\u2019t be colorful.\u201d<\/p>\n