As the weather changed to cooler days and cold nights, we removed the summer annuals and installed winter color including blubs.  This meant pulling out the lush and full begonias and coleus.

We had great success with the Alabama Coleus.  They reached a height of 2′ and withstood direct sun once established.  They were starting to show cold damage and it was only a matter of time before the colder weather took its toll on them.

The begonias on the other hand had not shown any cold damage as of the 1st week of December.  Instead, they were more vibrant and took the cooler nights well.

The other summer annuals were not holding up well.  The sweet potato vine, periwinkle and pentas were past their prime.  The sweet potato vine and periwinkles actually should have been removed before Thanksgiving.  They were showing signs of leaf burn or were limited in flowering.

In went the bulbs.  We planted 1000′s of bulbs.  Tulips, Hyacinth and Daffodils.  Most of the tulips we plant are the single late variety.  The later they bloom in the spring, the less likely they will be damaged by early spring bad weather like wind and hail.  The Hyacinth and Daffodils can withstand the elements better.  This also provides an extended amount of color in the spring.

Over the top of the bulbs, we plant 100′s of flats of pansies.  This gives us color during the coldest months before the bulbs break ground.  The combination of the pansies and bulbs offer a huge color palette.

In making our plant selections, we use a color scheme taking into account the colors of the pansies and the bulbs as they will all be in bloom later in the spring.  Keeping the color choices to a dominate color works best.  Its tempting to use a wide range of colors as there are many to pick from but this can create a jumbled look visually and distract from the overall beauty of the plantings.

In the Dallas area, zone 7b – 8, the winter color will last for months with the tulips ending the show with a bang!

I love using containers in the landscape.  They can add a punch of color to any patio or front entrance to a home.  Containers allow you to better control the soil mixture.  However, in our Texas heat, they can dry out fast.  So, I recommend using large containers as they will retain moisture longer than smaller containers.  Here are some updates on containers that we maintain.

I love the look of the SunPatiens.   They are offered in great color selections.  And look at the size of these!  This container holds 3 Variegated Vigorous Coral SunPatiens.  The form is perfect… nice and round covering the soil.  In the Dallas area, I’ve had better performance using these in a semi-shaded area as the intense July / August sun can be a too much for them.

These fancy leaf caladiums performed wonderfully underneath the yaupon holly.  The fancy leaf caladium requires more shade than the strap leaf caladium.  Those that you see in the sun are a strap leaf variety.  You can identify the difference by looking at the shape of the leaf.  The fancy leaf caladium has a heart shape leaf whereas the strap leaf is arrow shaped.

For a bright flower that can withstand the sun and heat, we had success with the Cora Periwinkle.  This is the burgundy Cora Periwinkle.  These plants filled in the container.  I have found that they will bounce back quickly if they become dry which can easily happen in July and August.

Another great plant combination for a mostly sunny location is crotons and Zebrina pendula.  The colors are so vibrant ranging from reds to yellows and purples!

We almost always install a drip line from the existing irrigation system to each container.  You can run the tube through the bottom of the container or have it come up over the side of the container.  A drip line will save you many hours of hand watering.  And you can go on vacation knowing that your plants will look good on your return.

I like to use the perennial Purple loosestrife or Lythrum salicaria in planting plans.  What I find interesting is that this plant is considered invasive in some parts of the country.  Fortunately, I have not seen that to be the case in my part of the country.  This plant has a long bloom period, takes the Texas heat and the winter cold.  It made the list of Texas A&M University Horticulture’s “Perennial Plants to use in Texas”.

In this photo, the purple loosestrife is the taller plant in the back with the purple / magenta flowers.   In front is artemisia and pink flower carpet rose.

A goal that I am constantly working on is finding new and different color combinations that work well in the landscape.  Most recently, I’m intrigued with the use of chartreuse… that bright clean and electric green/yellow.  This color seems to make the plantings vibrate with energy.  I like the way it contrast with reds.  I like the way it perks up pinks.  I like the way it reminds me of magical places.

Here is a planting combination using  Lime Mound Spirea, Purple Diamond Loropetalum and Blushing Knockout Rose.  The Lime Mound Spirea puts the sparkle in the planting scheme.

Other plants can be used that have the same or similar vibrant chartreuse color.  One of the easiest to grow is the Marguerite Potato Vine .  It is an annual in Zone 7 which may be a good thing if you want to tone it down or try a different combination the following year.

Another great plant selection is the Lemon Coral Sedum.  This plant hugs the ground and is chartreuse green all winter.  Then in spring it burst out with tiny bright yellow flowers.  The color is vibrant and carefree with a touch of whimsical.  You can see in this photo how the scale of the plant is perfect for this miniature setting of a girl and her dog.

Chartreuse is a great color to perk up the landscape… I think you’ll like the sparkle it adds.

Sometimes I think I must live in Versailles, France.  In my suburban America, shrubs and small trees are trimmed on a regular basis into balls and cones.  Probably this is done to keep the plants in scale to their surroundings.  Sometimes, it looks to be just something to do.  Just like everything else, there is a time when this should be done and a time when it shouldn’t.

I prefer to select plants that fit the site and naturally grow into the desired shape .  When this is done at the design phase, then there is less maintenance required later in life.  Like a conical evergreen?  Select a Blue Point Juniper.  Like a short round evergreen?  Select a Dwarf Yaupon Holly or Carissa Holly.  Like a natural small tree? Select a Yaupon Holly or Crape Myrtle.

Here you can see how natural the setting is when selective plants are allowed to grow in their natural growth habit. Trim plants as needed to accentuate their natural growth habit and to keep them in scale with the surroundings.  The natural forms are wonderful to view throughout the seasons.  This example is of a Deciduous Yaupon Holly.  The berries of these plants are shown in all their glory after the leaves fall off in Autumn and hang on through the winter.

The berries are a draw for birds as they flock to the small trees seeking food.

Now to me, this is more pleasing than viewing a hedge trimmed lollipop shaped Yaupon stuck on the corner of a house looking like it came direct from Versailles.

Dallas Texas is known for the Cowboys, longhorns and oil but not so much for fall color.  About this time of year travel advertisements flaunt the beauty of fall colors in those fortunate states where native trees turn crimson, orange and yellow.

Even though fall color is difficult to find in Dallas, there are a select group of plants that consistently provide fall color in our neck of the woods.

One of those is Oak Leaf Hydrangea or Hydrangea quercifolia.

Not only does it provide vibrant fall color but also snowy white flowers in late spring so it is showy for two seasons.  It does prefer well prepared soil, partial shade and water.  During the summer months, additional water may be necessary.

If you have a location for this plant, it will bring your landscape  seasonal interest.  Just give it plenty of room to grow, some shade from afternoon sun, and additional water.  Then next fall you can step out into your own landscape to watch the fall colors!

I was asked to create a meditation garden around a wonderful sculpture for a church in Allen, Texas.  The sculpture is an inspiration.  The surrounding area was not.  I guess that is where I come in.

The grounds behind the sculpture is farm land.  The sides of the statue are framed by buildings.  The space dictated an overall square space but the sculpture is dynamic and called for an asymmetrical design with lots of movement in the plant material.

Here, you can see the area before the installation of the statue.

Based on the client’s desire for a garden with movement to reflect the wind swept clothing and wings in the sculpture, I designed a space with a strong sense of geometry but worked in asymmetrical planting groupings and hardscape.

The selected design fits the space well and incorporates the objectives of the client.

Notice that the hardscape is split into a cresent shape with the left portion being concrete and the right portion being decomposed granite.  The area with the decomposed granite is a more casual space used for sitting and reflecting.  The large tree will provide shade for the sitting area.  The concrete as well as the paver area in front of the statue is to be used for groups to gather.

We implemented phase 1 to much delight of the client and those that visit the space.

With time, the hollies behind the statue will provide a solid screen to block the view behind the statue and create a sense of closure.  Likewise, a Live Oak tree, which can not been seen in this picture, will provide shade for the sitting area.

Additional plantings include Knockout Roses, Salvia, Sedum, Blackeye Susan, and Dwrf Fountain Grass.

It has been an honor to be able to contribute to such an important space for this church

One of my favorite ornamental grasses is the dwarf fountain grass or Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘ Hameln’.  This plant begins to flower in mid-August in the Dallas area.

Dwarf Fountain Grass

Unlike, many ornamental grasses, the compact size works well in residential gardens.  The plumes stand erect and create a visual accent point to the garden that says “look at me!”

I especially like this grass when purple or blue flowering or foliage plants are planted near by such as Scaevola or Loropetalum.  The purple accentuates the wheat color of the plume.

Dwarf Fountain Grass

Another good accent to the Dwarf Fountain Grass is the Double Knock Out Rose.  The movement of the plumes complement the stiff stalks of the Double Knock Out Rose.  This is also true when placed near other rigid elements such as iron fencing or decorative iron accessories.