Landscaping Plants

A hedge doesn't have to be imaginatively shaped to make an impact.

For some homeowners, the term landscaping denotes only how plants are utilized for decoration. Even those yards that take landscaping design further will need to focus on plants to some degree. The choices of plants available for introducing into your landscape scheme range from the smallest bulb to fully grown trees. The key is to choose plants that act individually to integrate seamlessly into the overall design.

Hedge Conifers

A common, aesthetically pleasing landscaping option is a hedge. A hedge made from conifers is particularly attractive. Most conifers require regular pruning and this can leave the hedge about the same size as a hedge made of shrubs. Popular conifers for a hedge include southern yew, Douglas fir, Chinese plum yew and Canada hemlock.

Ground Cover

Ground cover plants provide a low-maintenance alternative to regular lawn grass as a centerpiece of your landscape plan. Ground cover plants can add both color and textural contrast to the rest of your landscape. For a shady area of your landscape, choose plants like bunchberry, bishop's hat, periwinkle or wild sweet William. Ground cover options for sunny areas include cushion spurge, wall rock cress, creeping juniper and moss pink. Ground covers are also an effective plant to use in landscape areas where stopping erosion is a necessity. Choose from St. John's wort, winter creeper and English ivy to control erosion.

Rose Versatility

Roses are one of the most versatile landscaping plants you can find. Various species are best utilized for specific purposes like Sweet Vivien for borders and containers. Ralph's Creeper is a rose that can be used as ground cover. Red Fountain can be drafted into action to climb fences and trellises. If your landscaping plan revolves around creating a wonderful smelling yard, go with Fair Bianca or Belle Story roses.

Climbing Vines

You don't have to stick with roses to incorporate the beauty of climbing plants into your landscape. Climbing vines can be showcased on arbors, fences, walls, gates and even up the side of a structure like a shed. American wisteria, allamanda and Virginia creeper are all popular plants used for adding a climbing effect to a landscape.

Perennials

Perennials offer the opportunity to add great diversity of color and shape to your landscape. Perennials that bloom for several months include autumn sage, Indian blanket and lantana. Add some foliage to the mix with evergreen perennials like holly fern, wallflower, yucca and lavender.

Fragrant Plants

Those fragrant species of roses are not the only plants you can introduce into your landscape to provide you with a sweet smell as you relax on the patio or deck. Fragrant plants serve a functional purpose besides releasing pleasant aromas; they also attract pollinating insects and bees. Plants that can leave your outdoor area smelling much better than your indoor areas include jasmine, gardenia, heliotrope and rosemary.

References

• Virginia Cooperative Extension; Selecting Landscape Plants: Ground Covers; Diane Relf; May 2009
• "Southern Living Landscape Book"; Steve Bender, Ed.; 2000
• "Design Ideas for Home Landscaping"; Catriona Tudor Erler; 2007