Learn how to get a well-designed garden with wiser choices at the nursery and better placements in the beds

Don and Lela Avery of Morrisville, Vermont, define a “gardenworthy plant” as one that earns its presence in the garden over the long term. The Averys like color but prefer plants that have interesting foliage texture or good architecture/form. Plants that possess these qualities earn their keep month after month and year after year. Their gardens are chock-full of interesting plants, like the ones identified here.

Photo 1:

1) ‘Vision in Red’ astilbe (Astilbe chinensis ‘Vision in Red’, USDA Hardiness Zones 4–8)

2) ‘American Halo’ hosta (Hosta ‘American Halo’, Zones 3–9)

3) ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint (Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’, Zones 4–8)

4) ‘Sagae’ hosta (Hosta ‘Sagae’, Zones 3–9)

5) Astilbe (Astilbe cv., Zones 4–8)

6) Weeping larch (Larix decidua ‘Pendula’, Zones 3–6)

7) ‘Lucifer’ crocosmia (Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’, Zones 6–9)

8) Fox Valley™ river birch (Betula nigra ‘Little King’, Zones 4–9)

9) ‘Big Daddy’ hosta (Hosta ‘Big Daddy’, Zones 3–9)

Photo 2:

1) ‘Claridge Druce’ geranium (Geranium X oxonianum ‘Claridge Druce’, Zones 4–8)

2) ‘Axminster Gold’ comfrey (Symphytum X uplandicum ‘Axminster Gold’, Zones 3–9)

3) Bear’s breeches (Acanthus spinosus, Zones 5–9)

4) ‘Royal Purple’ smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’, Zones 5–9)

Photo 3:

1) ‘Sun Maiden’ maidenhair fern (Adiantum ‘Sun Maiden’, Zones 3–8)

2) Common comfrey (Symphytum X uplandicum, Zones 3–9)

3) Astilbe (Astilbe cv., Zones 4–8)