Amy Swim
Hydrangea quercifolia"Oakleaf Hydrangea" 'Pee Wee'. Fabulous elongated 7-8” bloom panicles add a welcome, refreshing feature to my mixed bouquets. ‘Pee-Wee’ is a low-maintenance winner in any garden, delivering all-season beauty with its bold oak-leaf foliage , lavish flower production Summer thru Fall and colorful burgundy-red Fall-Winter foliage. The dwarf rounded 4’ x 4’ silhouette makes it an excellent choice for a foundation shrub, informal hedge, or just tuck it into a corner. Clay-ish tolerant. No pruning necessary. Compost in Spring. Water regularly to establish. Sun/pt sun. Deer resistant.
Hydrangea quercifolia"Oakleaf Hydrangea" 'Pee Wee'. Fabulous elongated 7-8” bloom panicles add a welcome, refreshing feature to my mixed bouquets. ‘Pee-Wee’ is a low-maintenance winner in any garden, delivering all-season beauty with its bold oak-leaf foliage , lavish flower production Summer thru Fall and colorful burgundy-red Fall-Winter foliage. The dwarf rounded 4’ x 4’ silhouette makes it an excellent choice for a foundation shrub, informal hedge, or just tuck it into a corner. Clay-ish tolerant. No pruning necessary. Compost in Spring. Water regularly to establish. Sun/pt sun. Deer resistant.
Hydragea 'Little Lime'. A new dwarf form of the popular Limelight Hydrangea, Little Lime sports the same great flower power but in a smaller package. Attractive green summer flowers turn pink in fall. This hardy selection is excellent for use in mixed border or foundation plantings. Sturdy stems are good for cut flower arrangements. Filtered sun, Full sun, Partial sun Water regularly. Moderate growing; reaches 3 to 5 ft. tall and wide.
Pieris japonica 'Variegata' Beautiful, drooping clusters of white flowers highlight this evergreen shrub in spring. The attractive green foliage with creamy white variegation emerges with a pink tint to new growth. The compact form is excellent for use as a highly ornamental foundation planting or in groupings in the landscape. Slow growing; reaches 3 to 5 ft. tall and wide Light Needs Partial shade Water Needs Water regularly
Pieris japonica 'Variegata' Beautiful, drooping clusters of white flowers highlight this evergreen shrub in spring. The attractive green foliage with creamy white variegation emerges with a pink tint to new growth. The compact form is excellent for use as a highly ornamental foundation planting or in groupings in the landscape. Slow growing; reaches 3 to 5 ft. tall and wide Light Needs Partial shade Water Needs Water regularly
Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' A vigorous, compact evergreen prized for finely textured weeping blue-green foliage. Thrives in hot inland or coastal settings, needing little water or care once established. Highly effective in Mediterranean landscapes. Ideal for a hillside planting. Reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall, 4 to 6 ft. wide. Light Needs Full sun, Partial sun Water Needs Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat.
Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' A vigorous, compact evergreen prized for finely textured weeping blue-green foliage. Thrives in hot inland or coastal settings, needing little water or care once established. Highly effective in Mediterranean landscapes. Ideal for a hillside planting. Reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall, 4 to 6 ft. wide. Light Needs Full sun, Partial sun Water Needs Once established, water occasionally; more in extreme heat.
Azara dentata. Masses of fluffy golden-yellow flowers in Spring on this tough, robust and effortless shrub from Chile. Grown against a part-shady wall or fence or up into a tree, it’s a super background subject with its dense, glossy, evergreen leaves and semi-weeping form to 10’ x 10’. Great for a side yard as well. Profuse.5-.75” blooms appear in glowing 3” clusters from March to May lighting up the shrub even in full shade! Tough, robust and fast, it will grow and bloom with abandon in decently draining soil and annual side-dress of compost. Non-aggressive roots, so it’s easy to place. Tolerates redwood roots ! Doesn’t mind being pruned to any shape. Long-lived. Bees, butterflies! Deer resistant! Part sun/shade. Low water.
Rubus calycinoides “Creeping Raspberry”. A standout groundcover! “Creeping Raspberry” makes a dense, evergreen, weed suppressing mat of deep green leathery leaves only 3” tall, and up to 4’ wide – rooting along the stems to expand its reach. This beautiful cascader is choice for a hillside! It’s tough, dependable, deer resistant, drought tolerant and NOT INVASIVE! In Summer 1” blooms appear held close to the foliage followed by showy bright orange edible berries! In Fall the leaves take on a charming red hue. Tolerates hot, sunny sites, and slopes. Avoid overwatering and provide good drainage for best health. Shade/Sun. Low/avg. water. Drought and deer tolerant.
Salvia x 'Amistad'. Friendship Sage A semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial that forms an upright clump. Tall stalks bear large, two-lipped, vibrant purple flowers held in dark plum calyxes. Blooms from spring to frost. Attracts hummingbirds, other pollinators, and beneficial insects. Green leaves are triangular, textured, and aromatic when touched. Mature size: 3 - 5 feet high and wide Light needs: full sun, part shade Water needs: regular water
Heuchera 'Forever Purple'. (Or any Heuchera) Unfaltering color, with intensely purple, glossy foliage with fluted edges. Produces short airy sprays of small soft violet-colored flowers on deep purple stems from late spring through summer. Outstanding color for borders, rock gardens, and mixed containers. An herbaceous perennial; evergreen in mild winter areas. Light needs: full sun or partial shade in hotter climates Water needs: moderate to regular water Foliage reaches 12 in. tall, 22 in. wide, flowers reach 15 in. tall. DT
Thymus x citriodorus 'Variegata'. AKA Lemon thyme. Colorful golden-edged green foliage is invaluable for adding color and contrast to patio containers, flowering borders and small open areas. Lemon-flavored foliage adds zest to marinades and more. Evergreen. A low shrublet 6 to 10 in. tall, 8 to 12 in. wide.
Neomarica caerulea “Walking Iris”. rich indigo-blue Iris-like blooms to 4" across, intricately veined in amber and white appear throughout Summer in waves atop tall, strong stems to 5' tall. A tough and EASY Brazilian member of the Iris family, its tall, stiff evergreen leaves form handsome clumps in a few years and provide a year-round vertical accent, as well a nice background for shorter blooms. Offsets curiously appear at the tops of spent stems and are easily detached for new plants! Not fussy and CLAY tolerant, but more blooms with compost rich soil and Summer water. Drought tolerant and deer resistant!
Neomarica caerulea “Walking Iris”. rich indigo-blue Iris-like blooms to 4" across, intricately veined in amber and white appear throughout Summer in waves atop tall, strong stems to 5' tall. A tough and EASY Brazilian member of the Iris family, its tall, stiff evergreen leaves form handsome clumps in a few years and provide a year-round vertical accent, as well a nice background for shorter blooms. Offsets curiously appear at the tops of spent stems and are easily detached for new plants! Not fussy and CLAY tolerant, but more blooms with compost rich soil and Summer water. Drought tolerant and deer resistant!
Carex testacea 'Prairie Fire'. I am currently in love with this plant. During the grey days of winter I saw this plant in a garden and it was just stunning. Such a rich red. Finely textured, glossy leaves begin life as olive green and age to a distinct orange-red as it matures. The elegant, arching, mounding form, 30” tall and wide, makes it a beautiful accent. Ideal for spilling over rocks, massing in borders and stunning in an elevated container (at least 14” diameter). Carex testacea prefers soil that is not too dry and well-drained soil. Best color in full sun. DT
Anigozanthos ‘Harmony’. Much prized as a long-lived accent plant with low water needs, to 4’ tall. Strappy evergreen 2-3’ foliage is held in “fans”. Each “fan” of leaves only blooms once, so cut used fans by two-thirds in Winter to promote new ones. Blooming from late Spring to early Fall , cut spent spikes for awesome cut flowers and to keep the blooms coming. Bees and hummers! Deer resistant! full sun, low water
Dymondia margaretae 'Silver Carpet' A South African ground cover that forms a slowly-spreading carpet. Dark green leaves are very narrow and cupped, prominently revealing silvery-white undersides. Somewhat inconspicuous yellow daisy-like flowers appear in summer. Tolerates a decent amount of foot traffic. Mature size: 2 - 3 inches high and 1 - 2 feet wide, 'lays flat' Light needs: full sun or light shade Water needs: moderate to regular water. This is super flat and dense,
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'. Detail of flowerheads. An ornamental perennial grass that forms an upright, fountain-like clump. Fine, arching leaves are silvery-green with variegated white margins. From late summer to frost, tall stalks are topped with copper-red, tassel-like flowerheads that mature to large, fluffy, silvery-white plumes. Flower stalks extend 1 - 2 feet above the foliage. Mature size: 4 - 5 feet high (more like 4' because of your shade factor) (blooms reach to 6') and 2 - 3 feet wide Light needs: full sun to light shade Water needs: moderate to regular water
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'. Detail of flowerheads. An ornamental perennial grass that forms an upright, fountain-like clump. Fine, arching leaves are silvery-green with variegated white margins. From late summer to frost, tall stalks are topped with copper-red, tassel-like flowerheads that mature to large, fluffy, silvery-white plumes. Flower stalks extend 1 - 2 feet above the foliage. Mature size: 4 - 5 feet high (more like 4' because of your shade factor) (blooms reach to 6') and 2 - 3 feet wide Light needs: full sun to light shade Water needs: moderate to regular water
BLUEBERRY 'BOUNTIFUL BLUE' Limited availability. A semi-evergreen bush that yields large blueberries with blue skin and juicy, sweet flesh. Mid-season harvest. Southern highbush hybrid. Self-pollinating. Interplant with other highbush hybrids to encourage a heavier crop. Estimated 200 chill hours. Blue foliage turns a stunning burgundy in fall. DT Mature size: 3 - 4 feet high and wide Light needs: full sun Water needs: regular to ample water Soil needs: acidic, pH 4.0 - 5.2, high humus content
Blueberry. 'Sunshine Blue'. Limited availability. A semi-dwarf semi-evergreen bush that yields midsize blueberries with light blue skin and tangy-sweet flesh. Mid season harvest. Southern highbush hybrid. Self-pollinating. Interplant with other highbush hybrids to encourage a heavier crop. Estimated 150 chill hours. Sunset zones: 8, 9, 14 - 24 Mature size: 3 - 4 feet high and wide Light needs: full sun Water needs: regular to ample water Soil needs: acidic, pH 4.0 - 5.2, high humus content
Syringa meyeri 'Palibin' "Dwarf Korean Lilac". A Lilac for warm-Winter areas! There are few plants we envy here in temperate zone 10, but Lilacs are definitely one of them! Lucky for us this DWARF Korean Lilac delivers the color and fragrance we crave, but in a mini, manageable form, perfect for even the smallest garden. Dense, compact and POWDERY MILDEW RESISTANT - it reaches a max of 6’ high and wide, though it can be kept half that size with an annual pruning. Dormant in Winter - come Spring, it becomes SMOTHERED in clusters of rich lavender-pink blooms with a sweet, heady fragrance that will fill your garden and summon legions of hummers and butterflies! Provide rich, well-draining soil for a happy, healthy plant. Sun/PartSun. Avg water. Deer tolerant
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Pixie Fountain'. An easy to grow, extremely cold hardy, ornamental grass for sunny to shaded garden beds. It forms a neat, petite clump of fine-textured foliage, topped by wands of decorative seed plumes in late summer. Ideal for smaller gardens and containers, and highly effective planted in mass. Excellent for bird habitat and wildlife gardens. Evergreen. Light Needs 1 to 2 ft. tall and wide. Filtered sun, Full sun, Partial shade, Partial sun. Water Needs. Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. DR
Helleborus 'Anna's Red' is a favorite. It has beautiful leaves that add seasonal interest when the plant is no longer in bloom. Rosy red flowers fade to burgundy red on this compact plant. Leafy flower stems are held upright on lush marbled foliage. Perfect for a shady border or container.. Evergreen. Blooms Late Winter through Mid-Spring. Light Needs Filtered sun, Full shade, Partial shade, Partial sun Water Needs. Keep soil lightly moist, but not soggy. 12-24" H x 12-24" W
FrostKiss™ Molly's White Hellebore. Elegant white and green flowers are held tall above low-growing foliage from winter to early spring. Soft-green veined leaves create a unique marbled look on a compact form. Evergreen. Foliage clumps 18 to 24 in. tall and wide. Slowly spreads. Light Needs Filtered sun, Full shade, Partial shade, Partial sun Water Needs Keep soil lightly moist, but not soggy
19. FrostKiss™ Molly's White Hellebore. Elegant white and green flowers are held tall above low-growing foliage from winter to early spring. Soft-green veined leaves create a unique marbled look on a compact form. Unlike other Hellebores, the FrostKiss™ series can take full sun in climates with milder summers if the roots are kept cool. An excellent addition to a moonlight garden. Evergreen. Foliage clumps 18 to 24 in. tall and wide. Slowly spreads. Light Needs Filtered sun, Full shade, Partial shade, Partial sun Water Needs Keep soil lightly moist, but not soggy
edging plant Campanula poscharskyana 'Blue Waterfall'. AKA Bellflower A perennial with a cascading, trailing growth habit. Flowers are star-shaped, and light violet-blue. Blooms from late spring through summer. Foliage is medium green. Attracts hummingbirds. Mature size: 8 inches high and 20 inches wide Light needs: light shade or full sun in cool climates Water needs: moderate to regular water
Aquilegia formosa. Western columbine Popular native perennial with fern-like foliage and wonderful nodding spurred blossoms of orangey-red and yellow. Best with a little shade and regular moisture but will tolerate full sun in somewhat cooler climates. Grows 1 1/2’ to 3’ tall. Flowers attract hummingbirds; the seeds are relished by small birds such as sparrows and Juncos. DT. This takes a little bit of effort to establish but well worth it. Reseeds. Should be used in mass plantings. Note: self sows
Shade sail over pool
WAC Horizontal rectangle step light #4011. $75 & up
Cast Brass Deck Light (Bronze). $30-40. The VOLT® Deck Light is a high quality low voltage outdoor lighting deck fixture. It features an easy-access faceplate; no tools required. Simply rotate the faceplate into a lock position onto an O-ring gasket. Its a sealed solid brass fixture, so it's perfect for decks, docks, patios, posts and railings. Professional quality internal components make for a fixture that will last a lifetime, even in harsh outdoor elements. Solid cast brass construction LED lamp options Lifetime warranty Easy-access faceplate; no tools required UL & cUL Listed Dark Sky Approved
Hinkley 'Nuvi Square' 3"x3" 15222BK Low voltage LED . 1. Black (shown here) 2. White 3. Bronze. $60 and up
Tiki Torch (most popular) from the Transcend Collection at TREX. https://www.trex.com/products/decking/transcend-decking-and-railing/
I really like this idea of integrating plants into the hardscape/deck
Retaining wall and sofa.
Stone retaining wall
A bench of stone, but instead of flagstone it would be decking.
Instead of the hot tub, it would be the fire pit. I have a stone insert in the deck. I think the boulder is too much but I can see plants coming onto the deck.
Tumbled stone at edge of spa
Swim spa
This is a hot tub but the design I'm pointing out here is bench surround. This is the idea for the bench surround of the swim spa
Trex Enhanced series. https://www.trex.com/products/decking/transcend-decking-and-railing/. Transcend decking maintains its vibrant color and luxurious finish–come scorching sun or red-wine spill–thanks to its unyielding, three-side shell protection…and our 25-Year Limited Residential Fade & Stain Warranty. 95% recycled
The window. With this wrap around design you don't need a door.
Back garden. Tinted concrete ramp
Daffodils. Deer will never touch these or what grows around them. A beautiful bulb to grow in sun, good cut flower, water only during growing season.
Freesia. A bulb that appears in the spring and gives you great smelling blooms to cut and bring indoors. Comes in a variety of colors. Good to establish at the edge of the rock wall where it can spill over the edge. DT. Sun/pt shade. Average water during growth with no water the rest of the year when it has died back to the ground.
The space between the floor and the wall. Horizontal boards not vertical. Hooks and small bench outside for hanging/placing things
Brodiaea laxa 'Queen Fabiola'. THRIVING IN HEAVY SOIL, sun or shade, needing no Summer water and happy as a clam under oaks, this California native bulb also naturalizes by corms. A good “plant and forget” no care lovely for just about any location, it’s especially nice in rock gardens and wild gardens. To 12” tall and Spring blooming. The large 2” beautiful, sky-facing, purple-blue trumpets are held in loose clusters above stiff leafless stems (after grassy leaves die back). Lasting up to two weeks in a vase, it’s a wonderful cut flower you certainly won’t find at the florist. Tip: you might want to pair with Heuchera, Tellima grandiflora, or something lower growing to disguise the naked stems. Sun/bright shade. Avg/No summer water. DT
Use existing moss rock to support ramp.
Front of house. Natural stone tile ramp with stone edging to match existing.
Front of house. Paver ramp with stone edging to match existing.
Front of house. Cement ramp. With the existing concrete driveway, a concrete ramp may look odd because they will not match. But maybe, with a concrete tint choice that works with the house color, it could work?
Wood ramp
Swim spa with deck surround and retaining walls
Decking and shade sail.
Coleonema pulchellum ‘Sunset Gold’. Tough and beautiful this golden-leaved variety of “Pink Breath of Heaven” is a favorite choice of landscapers. It’s an adaptable, long-lived evergreen shrub that offers fine-textured foliage and, beginning in early Summer charming, lightly fragrant, small pink flowers appear in abundance. Reaching up to 4’ high and 7’ wide, its unfussy sturdiness makes it ideal for a fluffy hedge and its brilliant foliage adds a splash of color to any bed. Normally unbothered by disease or pests, it’s earned the reputation as a trouble free year-round performer. Plant in average to fertile well-drained soil. Prune to shape. Deer resistant. Part/full sun. (grows smaller and slower in part shade) Low water.
Buddleja 'Miss Violet'. This compact “Butterfly Bush” offers up sizzling fuchsia flowers from early Summer until first frost. The 1’ long, dense clubs of tiny flowers are wonderfully fragrant so be sure to plant it near foot traffic. Grayish-green foliage on this 5’x5’ shrub clothes arching branches, adding a downy backdrop to the dazzling floral display that explodes out in every direction. Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummers as well. Tough, long-lived, deer resistant, drought tolerant – it’s a great choice for adding gorgeous color to a low-maintenance, low-water, pollinator friendly garden. Plant in full sun to light shade in humus-rich soil and provide excellent drainage. Prune to shape in late Winter.
Agastache mexicana ‘Sangria’ “Mexican Hyssop”. Whorls of brightly colored crimson-pink Salvia-like blooms bring a floriferous, colorful and joyful presence to the Summer and Fall garden. EASY to grow and long-lived, to 3’ x 2’, the lemon-tasting and scented flowers are edible (kids love them) and the leaves make a wonderful digestive tea. Tolerant of heat and drought, it’s adored by hummers and bees. Average to well-drained soil. Full sun, low water/DT, DR
Ceanothus 'Julia Phelps'. A long time favorite of Green Alchemy. Textural clouds of richest indigo-purple bloom in Spring is always a joy to see. Needs no maintenance and water once a month when established. Provides seed and shelter for the birds – including quail – and serves up nectar for the bees and butterflies. Mature size: 5 - 7 feet high and 7 - 9 feet wide Light needs: full sun Water needs: little to no water once established Unsurpassed for native, xeric and fire resistant landscaping. DT
Agastache ‘Black Adder’. Summer thru Fall color, A sterile hybrid, all energy goes into pumping out a long succession of dense, 10” erect spikes. Delivering all-important vertical presence, it’s substantial at 3.5’ tall x 2’ across. Reliably perennial, licorice scented and a bee, butterfly and hummingbird magnet! Rich, well drained soil. Cut back to 3” in Winter. Full sun, low water/DT, DR
Catananche caerulea"Cupid’s Dart" “Cupid’s Dart” provides masses of sturdy, upright stems topped by fun pearly-papery buds that open into these lovely semi-double, purple-eyed, lavender-blue, 2” blooms for months! To 2’ tall and 20” across, this tough and EASY, fairly drought tolerant short-lived perennial makes the loveliest cut flowers. The pearly-silver seed heads are really neat in dried arrangements, too! Best in well-drained soil. Can be divided and self-sows! COLD HARDY and deer resistant, plus butterflies! Note: Self sows.
Digiplexis ‘Illumination Flame’. puts all that energy into blooming non-stop Spring thru Fall! Multiple, magnificent, huge, 3’ tall bloom spikes hold large, rich Fuschia-pink flowers with spotted golden throats. Makes a STUNNING cut flower! Tropicalesque in color and feel, they’re fantastically staged above the dark green foliar mound to 24” across. Easy to grow, give it good loamy soil with compost added to see what it can do! Adapts to full sun thru bright shade. Attracts hummers, butters, and bees! DT
Arctostaphylos densiflora 'Howard McMinn' "Vine Hill Manzanita". 'Howard McMinn' is THE perfect Manzanita! Other varieties can be fussy about conditions but this Manzanita is very forgiving and accepts clay and sandy soil. It can even be clipped like an azalea or pruned into a small tree to show off its beautiful cinnamon colored bark. If you have been afraid to plant a Manzanita, this is the one to start with. A. densiflora is also known as “Vine Hill Manzanita”. Mature size: 6 - 10 feet high and wide Light needs: full sun to partial shade Water needs: little to moderate water The dark green foliage is very dense with small white to pink flowers that are very popular with hummingbirds and bees during the Winter and early Spring. Prefers coastal areas in California but thrives inland with occasional Summer water. DT.
Ribes aureum var. aureum Golden Currant. You would hold this to 3-4'. A stout deciduous shrub with upright, arching branches. Leaves are light green and lobed. Foliage turns red in fall. Small spring flowers are fragrant, yellow, and are followed by tasty, edible berries in summer. Attracts birds. Fruit production may be low in mild climates. Native to California. Ribes aureum yields some of the best berries for human consumption. Mature size: 3 - 10 feet high and wide Light needs: full sun, partial shade Water needs: moderate to regular water
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