Perennial Pairings

Garden Design

By Chris Daniel Dawson

My design approach for any garden space begins with four season consideration of form and structure that includes complementary plant textures and colors.
I designed this sunny suburban garden to have an ever changing view throughout the year with a succession of subtle blooming perennials combined with plants chosen for foliage. Architectural bare tree branches and evergreen trees, shrubs and groundcovers balance this landscape in winter. Vines spreading upwards onto the adjacent pergola provide shade and add vertical interest.

  • 1. Heuchera micrantha 'Palace Purple' (coral bells) USDA hardiness zone 4-9

    2. Geranium × cantabrigiense 'Karmina' (hardy geranium) USDA hardiness zone 5-8

    3. Buxus sinica 'Winter Gem' (Korean boxwood) USDA hardiness zone 5-9

    4. Akebia quinata (five-leaf akebia vine) USDA hardiness zone 4-8

    5. Betula populifolia 'Whitespire' (white birch) USDA hardiness zone 3-7

    6. Pinus nigra (Austrian pine) USDA hardiness zone 4-7

    7. Betula nigra (river birch) USDA hardiness zone 4-9

    8. Iris germanica (bearded iris) USDA hardiness zone 3-10

    9. Phlox paniculata 'David' (garden phlox) USDA hardiness zone 4-8