Every gardener has dreamed at one point or another of an “instant landscape.” Unfortunately, none of the home-shopping networks sell a garden that matures quickly. (Trust us—we’ve checked). The next-best thing is to plant an array of perennials that bulk up quickly, giving your beds a look of being full and therefore far older than they actually are. In fact, several of our recommendations can be divided within a year or two of planting, so you’ll get even more bang for your buck. The options we talk about in this episode may fill out quickly, but they aren’t aggressive or invasive.
Expert: Kelly Norris, director of horticulture and education at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in Iowa.
It’s beautiful, tough as nails, and you can eat it! ‘Foxley’ thyme (Thymus pulegioides ‘Foxley’, Zones 5–9) is a billowy ground cover that is easily divided.
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum, Zones 4–8) is a pollinator’s dream. Although it does self-sow, the seedlings remain in the general area of the original plant and are easily removed if you don’t appreciate them.
Danielle thinks the flowers of ‘Blonde Ambition’ blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis ‘Blonde Ambition’, Zones 4–9) look like little flags. Steve, on the other hand, thinks they look like praying mantis arms. Regardless, this is a well-behaved ornamental grass that bulks up quickly and adds great movement to a garden edge.
A lovely, fast-growing perennial for shade is
candelabra primrose (
Primula beesiana, Zones 5–8), which creates rosettes of romaine-lettuce-looking leaves in spring followed by tall stems of pink and purple flowers.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
SHOWA Atlas 370B Nitrile Palm Coating Gloves, Black, Medium (Pack of 12 Pairs)
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Lightweight and close-fitting for excellent dexterity. Machine washable. Breathable back of hand to reduce perspiration. Designed for easy movement and continuous wear. Ideal for aerospace, assembly, automotive, construction, final fix, gardening, manufacturing, operating machinery, packaging, precision handling, tiling, warehousing.
Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.
Lee Valley Garden Obelisks
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Sturdy yet lightweight, these obelisks provide ample support for climbing plants while being easy to install and move. The medium obelisk stands 68 1/2" high overall with a diameter of about 9 1/2", compact enough for smaller containers indoors or out. The large size stands 86 1/2" high with a diameter of 15 3/4", ideal for larger outdoor spaces and containers.
Comments
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Sign up Log in