As summer begins to wind down, some of the best plants you can grow seem to suddenly spring to life. Panicle hydrangeas, blooming now, will linger into fall. Grasses will only get better as they bloom and change colors. And, tucking in a bench always invites lingering. Create this on a smaller scale with containers–each of these plants thrives in a large pot in full or even 1/2 day sun.
What do you think?
Image: ARTEMIS landscape architects, Bridgeport, CT
4 years ago
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Kate Karam
4 years ago at 11:13 PM
This one came from a yard sale and had sat outside for a very long time! If you are looking for a new bench with style, I think Wayfair and Ballard Design have stylish ones at good prices; for a higher quality bench, Kingsley Bate has a range of styles in really good teak.
Steve
4 years ago at 11:00 PM
Serene in green! Like the play of textures in various shades of green, even the lichen's olive-green gets into the act on its garden bench.
Kate Karam
4 years ago at 11:17 PM
Now that was a very poetic way of looking at that space. Thank you --this made my day.
Paulette Hatchett
4 years ago at 11:28 PM
Kate, what is the pinkest plant in the opening photo? My area gets filter sun in the morning but shady the remsinder of the day.
Kate Karam
4 years ago at 2:06 AM
Do you mean the blooms of the ornamental grass on the right? That's Little Bunny Dwarf Fountain Grass (https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/1915/little-bunny-dwarf-fountain-grass/)
That's pretty low light conditions which are not the best for the plants in this picture. Plants like Himalayan Sweet Box, ferns, skimmia, some daphnes, rhododendrons, and even a few hydrangeas (Plum Passion Hydrangea Hydrangea aspera) would be better there.
Enrico Cannella
4 years ago at 11:38 PM
I owned DixieLand Nursery for over 10 years and was able to sell it and retire by the time I was 30... I still have a passion for plants and landscape design. Would love to come out and visit your nursery and take a tour as I have always admired Monrovia Nursery. To this day you business inspires me.
Eleanor Gribbin
4 years ago at 11:56 PM
Does this information apply to zone 9, southern CA?
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Kate Karam
4 years ago at 12:02 AM
Hi Eleanor--you can grow all of these plants in your zone. You'll need to give the hydrangeas some afternoon shade, but otherwise, all of these are hardy and fuss free.
Ili Smith
4 years ago at 12:45 AM
Lovely and serene....for us in the Central Valley Calif., Oct or Nov., is when things will wind down....
Kate Karam
4 years ago at 1:56 AM
I lived in SoCal for many years and never quite got used to September and often October being the hottest months. Keep cool!
Debby
4 years ago at 12:49 AM
This space so resonates with me. I design with an eye to those spots in the garden, unexpected, that welcome myself (or guests) to sit and have a peaceful, intimate experience. Congratulations of an artfully composed space. I love it!
Kate Karam
4 years ago at 1:55 AM
I have #gardenenvy for this one. Such simple planting but with such impactful plants--I know this is one I plan to steal.
Ron Stevens
4 years ago at 1:21 AM
Right plant, right place is always in effect. These plants can work well at my house in the woods. Hmmm, now to find a place where this room.
Kate Karam
4 years ago at 1:50 AM
Indeed. What's nice about this grouping is that they can do fine on the very outer edges of a shadier space. I also have #gardenenvy over this one.
Christy Mulligan
4 years ago at 1:57 AM
I simply love your articles, they inspire me and I look forward to each article and newsletter.
Thank you!
Kate Karam
4 years ago at 10:27 PM
That just makes me so happy to hear. Thank you for subscribing and for part of our community.
Joah Hall
4 years ago at 3:15 AM
Stunning, yet relaxing! I love the beautiful hydrangeas, the wispy grasses & Russian sage, in front of the blue spruce. This is a very relaxing destination! The bench is really cool too! Wish I had one!
Kate Karam
4 years ago at 10:01 PM
Hi Joan--that bench gives me a serious case of #gardenenvy! Thank you for the lovely comment.
Renee Labrenz
4 years ago at 8:48 AM
Love this! Just purchased a little corner on .4 of an acre and this is inspirational. Thank you.
Kate Karam
4 years ago at 9:32 PM
Congratulations! Lucky you to be starting a new garden. If you have questions, feel free to come back. We're here to help.
Tracey
4 years ago at 2:26 PM
I would definitely linger on that bench, so beautiful and not sure the smaller scale would be as inviting.
Kate Karam
4 years ago at 9:04 PM
It is beautiful but you know I think even an arrangement of pots filled with grasses and shrubs would have the same relaxed, casual vibe.
Joni Graves
4 years ago at 12:31 AM
Its lovely. But I have to wonder, where would it set my glass of wine? Its not the lazy days of summer without an adult beverage.....
suezk
4 years ago at 2:07 AM
Very inviting, lush and serene. I would love to put grasses in a large pot but wonder if they would over-winter well in our zone 3B to 4A.
Robin Robinson
4 years ago at 1:53 AM
I like the simple tones and symmetry of this garden. Visitors tell me that places to sit in my gardens are very appealing to them, even if they don't actually sit. The eye stops and lingers at a seating arrangement, even if the viewer doesn't park there.
Kate Karam
4 years ago at 2:23 AM
Hi Maxine--I love it too! It is a vintage piece and would hard to find one that's identical. However, if you are looking for a new bench with style, I think Wayfair and Ballard Design have stylish ones at good prices;for a higher quality bench, Kingsley Bate has a range of styles in really good teak.
Jeanne Sanchez
4 years ago at 3:28 PM
This is very nice. If you planted this scene in pots, they would have to be ground planted before winter as I live in zone5, correct? How do we attach pictures to send you?
Gricelda
4 years ago at 2:14 AM
I really love this. It looks so serene and inviting. I wish it could be done in South Texas.
chrishughes03
4 years ago at 2:18 AM
Replying to myself... if you hover over the picture selected plants pop up. Very cool. This is maiden grass.
Jacquie Wierenga
4 years ago at 12:24 AM
I planted my hostas in pots this summer , what do I do to store them for the winter? We live in southern Alberta ( granum )50 km northwest of Lethbridge, alberta
Kate Karam
4 years ago at 3:13 AM
Hi Jacquie--Your best course of action is either to move them to a sheltered location (which can be a garage or shed or even a spot that's protected from wind like the house eaves) or sink them into a hole you dig in the ground and then top with mulch or chopped up leaves. You really just want to place them in a spot where you can avoid big freeze and thaw cycles. Does this help?