Seven Staple Plants For Any Landscape
Whether you are a seasoned gardener or just starting out, we all bear witness to the ebb and flow of nature. From unpredictable weather patterns to constant maintenance, creating a garden that harmonizes with the environment, and your personal life, can be challenging for any level of gardener. Incorporating some hardy, reliable plants in the backbone of your garden can not only influence the visual appeal of your yard, but it can play a role in functionality and overall maintenance giving you more time to enjoy your outdoor space!
Along with our friends at Luis’ Nursery, we have put together our favorite garden staples and why you should consider them for your own landscaping. Whether you are looking to add some life to your yard, shopping for new greenery, or looking for inspiration, we understand that the plant search can be overwhelming. Consider a few of these steadfast green companions to bring lush greens and character to any landscape.
Callistemon viminalis ‘Little John’
This dwarf, evergreen shrub is perfect for year round gardens. With deep green foliage and striking “bottlebrush-like” flowers that bloom from spring through summer, you’re guaranteed to enjoy this plant just about anywhere! Bringing versatility to any landscape, it can be used as a border plant, in mass plantings, focal points, or even containers. These plants typically reach 2-3 feet in height and width, and once established are relatively drought tolerant. They love the sun and require little maintenance making it a great addition for any gardener!
Elaeocarpus decipiens ‘Japanese Blueberry Tree’
With its lush year round cover this plant is a self-evident choice. The Japanese Blueberry tree has a compact and upright growth making it a great choice for a stand alone tree, hedging, screening or added privacy. As spring rolls in, this tree produces small scented white flowers that are followed by blue-black berries. Once established these plants don’t require much maintenance; they love partial sun and only require watering when the top few inches of soil are dry. This tree gets to be about 6-8 feet tall and wide. If you are looking for a fruitless appearance, regular pruning will nearly eliminate flowers and fruit creating a clean classic look.
Hesperaloe parviflora ‘Red Yucca’
The Red Yucca has resilient, long-lasting beauty that is functional in a wide range of landscapes. With high adaptability this plant can endure hot and arid climates, intense sunlight, drought and unpredictable weather conditions making it a great fit for just about any landscape. During the warmer months, tall flower spikes filled with coral-red blossoms appear, bringing in pollinators and hummingbirds. Year round, the Red Yucca remains a visual interest with its slender arching leaves creating a distinct silhouette. The Red Yucca grows about 2-3 feet in height and width. The flower spikes in standard varieties can reach over five feet tall. Dwarf varieties such as ‘Brakelights’ grow flower spikes of about 3 feet tall. No matter the variety, this plant is a long living perennial that can remain a stable presence in your yard for many years.
Olea europaea ‘Little Ollie’
If you love olive trees but lack the space for a 25 foot tree in your yard, this dwarf olive tree is a perfect alternative. This plant can be included in your yard, patio, terrace, or even indoor pots, making them highly versatile. The Little Ollie brings all the charm and lush greenery of a standard olive tree without sacrificing the space in your yard. With silvery-green leaves and a compact size this tree brings elements of elegance into any space. This dwarf tree will get to be about four feet tall and require little pruning as it is a very low maintenance plant. Once established this plant loves full sun and does well in dry conditions.
Ligustrum japonicum ‘Texanum’
Looking for versatility, hardiness and easy to grow screening? The Wax Leaf Privet is a perfect option for those looking to create privacy with little upkeep. This plant does well in various conditions, soil types and temperatures making it suitable for many different types of landscapes. Once established, this plant responds well to regular pruning, as it grows to be 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide, but can be maintained to 2 feet wide by 3-6 feet tall. Making this plant perfect for any space! With an evergreen, dense foliage, this plant can be used as an informal hedge or screen providing a polished classic look to your space that will remain year round. In late, spring, small fragrant flowers bloom brining pollinators into your garden.
Calamagrotis x acutiflora ‘Karl Forester’
This stunning plant offers a myraid of benefits to any landscape. From ornamental appeal to wildlife benefits the Karl Forrester Grass can transform any space. This plant provides year round interest with reddish brown feathery stalks in the spring, elegant, golden plumes that appear during summer and striking seeded heads that develop during winter. These stalks can be enjoyed from a distance, or as a cut flower in your home making for a great centerpiece. This grass does great in drier environments once established. The blooms on this grass reach high at around 6 feet, while the foliage is about 2 feet tall creating a stunning vertical focal point in your garden.
Laurus x Seratoga ‘Seratoga Hybrid Laurel’
This evergreen tree is a great year round staple if you are looking to add a spot of shade to your landscape. Growing to be about 25 feet tall with a similar spread, this tree is perfect for yards that get a little too much sun. With glossy, aromatic leaves that last all year, this tree provides a consistent appearance to complete your space. Once established this tree is relatively drought tolerant and does well in dry regions. This tree also responds well to pruning, but requires little overall maintenance.
