Made for the Shade: 7 Great Plants

Blue Hydrangea

Blue Hydrangea has vibrant dinnerplate blooms, lush foliage, and versatility, making it famous for gardens, parks, and residential landscapes. Scientifically known as macrophylla, it is a captivating flowering shrub celebrated for its enchanting beauty and the tranquil ambiance of gardens and landscapes. Revered for its vibrant azure blossoms, it is a botanical masterpiece that has charmed horticulturists and nature enthusiasts for generations. With a profusion of attractively hued blooms, Blue Hydrangea makes beautiful additions to any garden. The flowers appear in clusters or cones up to eight inches wide. The foliage is generally deep green with a matte or waxy surface, but leaf shapes vary significantly between varieties. Some plants produce oblong or heart-shaped leaves between four and eight inches long, while others are adorned with serrated, deeply veined, or lobed leaves of similar size. Blue Hydrangea Has Amazing Blue Blooms One unique fact about Blue Hydrangea it is the most eye-catching parts of the plant aren't made up of petals, as is the case with most other flowering plants. Instead, showy, colorful blooms are comprised of petal-like structures called sepals. Sepals are sturdier than regular flower petals and protect the tiny flowers hidden behind or below them. Their bloom clusters vary from faint sky-blue to deep purple, with most shades in between. The color of the flowers it produces is based on the plant's variety and the content of certain minerals in the surrounding soil. Get Blue Hydrangea Dies Back In Winter They go dormant in the cooler months. As warmer weather returns, the plants start putting on new foliage, and new flowers begin forming in mid-to late spring. They will burst into full bloom in the early summer, with the flowers generally reaching their prime during June, July, August, and September. Some varieties only bloom once per growing season, while others rebloom continuously throughout the summer. Creating Height and Depth With Blue Hydrangea Blue Hydrangea can grow six feet or more with a six-foot branch span. These standard varieties are suitable for creating a border, a flowering green wall, or a divider between lawn areas. If space is a consideration, smaller varieties that are great for raising pots or planters are also available. These varieties will reach just two to three feet with a similar branch-spread diameter. Some plants also act like vines and can scale trees and fences to heights of 50 feet or more.

Hosta

Hostas are shade-loving perennials known for their large, heart-shaped, and often variegated leaves and spikes of bell-shaped flowers, making them popular choices for garden borders and landscaping in low-light areas. They are renowned for their lush foliage and graceful appearance, which offer many benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. These versatile perennials have gained popularity for their ability to enhance outdoor spaces with their aesthetic appeal, adaptability, and ease of maintenance. Hosta is an attractive herbaceous plant that can grow up to 4 feet in height, although a height of 18 inches is more common. There are several species of them, each with slight differences in leaf color. Each species has a different bloom, making exceptional focal points in any garden. Hosta Has Stunning Leaves The type seen most commonly in the United States is the "Keepsake." The charming green leaves ringed with yellow accents are popular because of their hardiness in different climates and the beautiful vistas they create in a garden. Sometimes, the lighter color rings are shades of white rather than yellow, but they don't lose any eye-catching effects. They have leaves of a single color, usually dark green. All their leaves are sturdy and ribbed, even if they're longer and tapered rather than cheerfully oval. Most versions have pretty purple or white flowers that bloom in the early summer through the beginning of fall. The flower buds form in the middle of spring and are generally the same color as the flowers. Even when they're just budding, they are beautiful plants that complement everything else in the garden. Once the buds bloom, the flowers form trumpet, bell, or elongated pendulous shapes. Only one version of these flowers has a strong scent, called the "August Lily." It's a shy flower, blooming in the evening and closing up again by morning, so it'll brighten up any garden when the sun goes down. Hosta Does Great With Other Plants When they are surrounded by flowers of similar colors, such as California bluebells for the species with violet flowers or tuberose for the white-flowered species, it creates a breathtaking effect. Alternating the various species in concentric rings would increase their appeal and let them truly shine. This Hosta Is Good for Pollinators Hosta blooms are essential for pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The flowers provide nectar, and the leaves collect dew in the mornings, allowing these little creatures to drink while visiting the garden.

6 Flowering Shrubs 3-4' Selected Perfectly For Your Zone

Introducing the Exquisite Collection of 6 Flowering Shrubs: Enhance your garden with vibrant colors and captivating fragrances. Each bush has been handpicked for its unique beauty, easy maintenance, and ability to thrive in various climates. With this exceptional collection, you'll enjoy a continuous display of stunning flowers throughout the year. PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE A COLLECTION OF PLANTS, NOT SPECIFIC PLANT TYPES. WE CHOOSE TYPES THAT WORK BEST FOR YOUR ZONE ACCORDING TO YOUR ZIP CODE. Flowering Shrubs Has Wonderful Aromas  You can easily create color-themed garden beds with six flowering shrubs. When choosing colors, consider planting ones with blooms on the opposite end of the color wheel. Choose colors like green, brown, and dark yellow to create a more neutral and naturalistic setting. Many variants bloom until late fall, with their foliage remaining attractive all winter. Some even release distinct aromas, with scents ranging from jasmine to daphne to lilac, gardenia, and many more. Planting 6 of these plants as a natural screen is an excellent way to block the outside view from your yard. Some of these plants grow fast and reach thirty feet or more. You can use them to construct a sturdy, protective barrier that dampens both sound and light in certain parts of your lawn. Many variants have large blossoms that can cast natural shade over outdoor gathering spots. Their twisted branches can even serve as windscreens, which is particularly beneficial around decks and patios. Create Unique Floral Displays With Flowering Shrubs Apply the 3:5:8 principle. This European layout's three main design elements focus on sub-dominating, contrasting, and dominant plants. Make sure to pick flowers that complement your house's exterior paint colors. Think about the time of year and which colors resonate with your family's seasonal traditions. To make it seem more organic, plant the flowers in odd numbers. Use a variety of flower heights and textures to create an architecturally inspired contemporary garden. Arrange the flowers as focal points at regular heights around an evergreen bush for a more gentle, romantic look. Build Container Gardens With Flowering Shrubs Planting this Flowering Shrubs package works excellent when you're short on space but want a splash of color in seasonal garden containers. Many are small enough to move around different parts of the yard quickly. This makes arranging seasonal displays with the flowers and their different color patterns and textures simple. To create beautiful garden borders, arrange rows of these plants in pots or containers.