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The Impatient Gardener

Garden, Garden design, Plants

All the plants for the new naturalistic garden

June 5, 2020

My patio is full of plants, and more are on the way. It’s a sure sign of two things: First, a new garden is underway, and second, I am, predictably, quite behind. I always have an excuse for this, but I feel like this year it’s more legitimate than usual. We had a rather significant flood that unfortunately happened one week after we had done all the bed prep for the new garden.

We’re still going back to undo some of that damage, and honestly it could have been so much worse, so we’re very fortunate that it wasn’t. Oddly, I’m not nearly as frantic about how behind I am than I usually would be. Could I actually be getting more patient? Unlikely, frankly.

This pause, however, does give me an opportunity to tell you a little bit about the plants and the plan for this area.

The finished garden area is somewhere around 3,400 square feet. It’s massive. I don’t know that I’ll be able to plant that all this year, but I’d guess that I’ll do at least 75 percent of it. The sheer number of plant varieties going into this garden seems excessive. It may be. But it’s also an enormous area that I think can carry this number of plants. 

The design concept might be called dynamic naturalistic, but I don’t think it’s quite that. Perhaps it’s my take on that style. Here’s how I think of it: large swaths of plants and plant matrixes (i.e. typically two varieties planted together to sort of become one) that trickle into one another as though someone knocked the game board table. I don’t want clear definition where one plant starts and another begins, rather an intermingled border. Make sense? If it doesn’t, that’s OK, because I’m not quite sure how that will work until I get in there and start planting.

Without further ado, let’s get to the plant list.

SUN GRASSES

  • Sporobolus heterolepis ‘Tara’ (prairie dropseed): Zone 3-9, 2-3′ tall and wide
  • Molinia litoralis ‘Transparent’ (moor grass): Zone 4-8, 2-6′ tall x 2-3′ wide
  • Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’ (big bluestem): Zone 3-9, 5′ tall x 2′ wide
  • Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’ (little bluestem): Zone 3-8, 4′ tall x 1′ wide
  • Bouteloua gracilis ‘Honeycomb’ (blue grama): Zone 3-10, 30″ tall x 18″ wide

Sporobolus heterolepis ‘Tara’ Bluesone Perennials photo

Andropogon gerardii ‘Blackhawks’
Walters Gardens photo

transparent moor grass

Molinia ‘Transparent’ in Lurie Garden

 

SHADE GRASSES

  • Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Japanese forest grass): Zone 5-9, 2-3′ tall x 1-2′ wide
  • Carex pensylvanica (Pennsylvania sedge): Zone 3-8, 6-12″ tall and wide
  • Carex flauca ‘Blue Zinger’ (blue sedge): Zone 5-9, 12-18″ tall and wide

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’
Walters Gardens photo

SUN PERENNIALS

  • Penstemon ‘Blackbeard’ (beardtongue): Zone 3-8, 30-36″ tall x 24″ wide
  • Alchemilla mollis ‘Thriller’ (lady’s mantle): Zone 3-7, 1-2′ tall and wide (also part shade)
  • Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ (catmint): Zone 3-8, 12-14″ tall x 18-20″ wide
  • Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Queen of Diamonds’ (Culver’s root): Zone 3-8, 4′ tall x 2′ wide
  • Liatris spicata (blazing star): Zone 3-8, 2-4′ tall x 12-18″ wide
  • Salvia nemerosa ‘Caradonna’: Zone 4-8, 18-24″ tall x 18″ wide
  • Stachys x ‘Summer Crush’ (betony): Zone 4-9, 24″ tall x 18″ wide
  • Echinacea pallida (pale purple coneflower): Zone 3-10, 2-3′ tall x 12-18″ wide
  • Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed): Zone 3-9, 12-30″ tall x 12-18″ wide
  • Calamintha nepeta ‘Montrose White’ (calamint): Zone 5-9, 12-18″ tall and wide
  • Lobelia siphilitica (blue cardinal flower): Zone 4-9, 2-3′ tall x 12-18″ wide
  • Pycnanthemum muticum (blunt mountainmint): Zone 4-8, 1-3′ tall and wide
  • Sanguisorba hakusanensis ‘Lilac Squirrel’ (burnet): Zone 5-9, 24-30″ tall x 18″ wide

Alchemilla mollis

Nepeta Cat's Pajamas new

Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’
Walters Gardens photo

Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’
Walters Gardens photo

calamintha nepeta montrose white

Calamintha ‘Montrose White’

Sanguisorba hakusanensis ‘Lilac Squirrel’
Plant Delights Nursery photo

PART SHADE TO SHADE PERENNIALS

  • Heucherella ‘Red Rover’: Zone 4-9, 8″ tall x 18″ wide
  • Actaea simplex / Cimicifuga racemosa ‘Brunette’ (bugbane): Zone 3-8, 3-4′ tall x 2-3′ wide
  • Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ (Japanese spikenard): Zone 3-9, 30-36″ tall and wide
  • Astilbe chinensis ‘Visions’: Zone 4-9, 18″ tall and wide
  • Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Golden Arrow’ (mountain fleece): Zone 4-7, 2-3′ tall and wide (also sun)
  • Athyrium niponicum ‘Crested Surf’ (Japanese painted fern): Zone 3-8, 20-22″ tall x 30″ wide
  • Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Bevan’s Variety’ (bigroot geranium): Zone 3-8, 12″ tall x 18-24″ wide
  • Thalictrum ‘Elin’ (meadow rue): Zone 4-9, 8′ tall x 2 ‘ wide

 

Aralia ‘Sun King’
Proven Winners photo

Astilbe chinensis ‘Visions’
Walters Gardens photo

Athyrium niponicum ‘Crested Surf’
Walters Gardens photo

BIENNIALS AND SELF-SEEDERS

  • Foeniculum vulgare (bronze fennel): 4′ tall (may be perennial)
  • Angelica gigas : 5-6′ tall x 18-24″ wide
  • Digitalis ferruginea (rusty foxglove): 3-5′ tall x 12-18″ wide

TREES AND SHRUBS

  • Cornus mas (cornelian cherry dogwood): Zone 4-8, 15-20′ tall and wide
  • Pinus strobus ‘Blue Shag’ (Eastern white pine): Zone 3-8, 4′ tall and wide in 10 years
  • Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brillance’ (serviceberry): Zone 4-8, 15-25′ tall x 15′ wide

The list is a little light on trees and shrubs. Frankly I hadn’t intended that to be the case but the budget has been decimated and at some point I started to wonder if I needed them. It seemed like an easy way to stop spending for this year and I can always add them later. I wouldn’t mind a weeping katsura in there at some point. 

Generally speaking I was looking for deer resistance (hence why you don’t see any hostas), although I know a few of these may be tempting to them. I was also looking for generally low maintenance down the road. I don’t want to do a lot of deadheading or general minding. A big cut back after blooming for the salvia, nepeta and stachys seems reasonable to me.

I always planned to have goldenrod in the mix as well. However I have a lot of native goldenrod growing in this area and I thought that rather than fight it, only to buy a different goldenrod to replace it with, I would see where it wants to grow for a bit and decide if I can make that work. 

Spring bulbs, primarily daffodils and alliums, will be a big part of the plan in the future as well, but I’m happy to wait to get a feel for the space before I add those in, so that might be this fall, or maybe next year.

This is not a garden that will come together in one year, but there’s comfort in that when taking on a project this big.

naturalistic new garden plants
by Erin @ The Impatient Gardener 
13 Comments

About Erin @ The Impatient Gardener

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Comments

  1. Lisa at Greenbow says: June 5, 2020 at 6:50 am

    I know it will be outstanding. Piet would be proud of you.

    Reply
  2. Susan - WI gardener says: June 5, 2020 at 7:36 am

    It’s going to be beautiful. I can picture what you are trying to achieve and the waves of plantings, intermingled with each other, will have a very natural effect. With the tall grasses, I don’t think you will miss the trees and shrubs much because the grasses will still add the needed height. You can always add the trees and shrubs in another year when you have a better feel for how the bed will look. Thank you for sharing the plant list; you have introduced me to some I wasn’t aware of or had overlooked. I especially love Aralia “Sun King”. One word of advice, be careful using native goldenrod. I have found it very invasive in our area of Wisconsin. It has taken over one of my beds and practically smothered out my other perennials. I am constantly fighting to keep it under control. I can’t wait to see how your bed looks later in the summer.

    Reply
  3. Susan Krzywicki says: June 5, 2020 at 7:49 am

    Are many of these plants native to your area? A naturalistic garden seems to call for native plants. Being from California, I don’t know your local species, but would love to read more about them.

    Reply
  4. Kylee Baumle says: June 5, 2020 at 9:21 am

    Oooooh, I can’t wait to see it! I think it will be fantastic, because I trust your expertise at this. I want to strongly caution you with Carex ‘Blue Zinger’. In pretty short order, that will make an attempt to mow over everything in its path, if it behaves there like it does here. I absolutely love it, but I rip out bunches of it every year because it’s just so aggressive. I’ll be following this, Erin!

    Reply
  5. Vicki says: June 5, 2020 at 9:57 am

    That’s a huge project Erin, can’t wait to see it! I wish that my hubby would be more onboard with gardening projects I have to fight him tooth and nail. Love your gardens and have a awesome weekend!

    Reply
  6. Karen Anderson says: June 5, 2020 at 1:10 pm

    This will be beautiful and I can’t wait to see it. Thank you.

    Reply
  7. Rene' says: June 7, 2020 at 11:58 am

    Your plant list sounds amazing. I look forward to seeing them in their planting and growth. I remember you filmed your design process which was very helpful. My problem is I have a difficult time in deciding on plants. I want them all.

    Reply
  8. Belle says: June 7, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    I love your plant selection – it should turn out beautifully. The Aralia and the Astilbe will look perfect together.

    Regarding the goldenrod, I planted “Goldenrod Solidago Fireworks” and it took off the first year. This is year three and I really like it. It has a clumping habit but grows tall (3 ft or so). It blooms the end of summer into fall and the bees love it. It spreads but not aggressively. It’s nice for a large garden. Mine is planted next to Jacob Kline Bee Balm which is just as tall.

    Reply
  9. Linda Brazill says: June 20, 2020 at 2:16 pm

    I loved this post. You have really thought this out and have a great group of plants. I am looking forward to watching it come together. I am getting rid of a row of Hostas and replacing them with Epimediums, true Geraniums and Hellebores. Hoping for lower maintenance in that spot and a better design. I have Blue Shag and it is doing well.

    Reply
  10. Elaine says: July 3, 2020 at 7:44 pm

    I can”t wait to see it I was wondering if the rabbits eat your echinacea i grew some from
    seed this year and rabbits have eaten them all to the ground

    Reply
  11. Betsy Sellers says: August 25, 2020 at 12:25 pm

    May we see the naturalistic garden in its ‘sleeping’ stage? It’s always fun to see the before and after pictures, but gardeners love to see the progress from planting time to every stage along the way.

    Reply
  12. Rachelle says: October 5, 2020 at 10:35 am

    I second Belle’s suggestion of Solidago ‘Fireworks’, and I dislike goldenrod as a rule!

    Reply
  13. Marge says: June 9, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    I wanted to pass along a source for plugs.. Greatgardenplants.com. I recently purchased 3 (32) cell trays of blue star creeper. They are $100. ea.

    Really nice quality. The plugs are a good 3″ deep. The trays are a bit tricky to push plugs out from the bottom hole. I found it best to use scissors and cut a slit down from the top.

    I have no greenhouse..They went directly in the ground around my Yoshino cherry tree. There was a lot of surface roots to deal with. I did add a layer of garden soil and mulch. They weren’t faring too well till I was able to get a grid of 1/4″ drip setup. They’re looking great now.

    Hope this is useful.

    Reply

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The Impatient Gardener

Do you love gardening? Me too! I'm Erin and I garden in Southeastern Wisconsin, zone 5. The Impatient Gardener is all about real-life gardening: the good parts, the bad bits and even the funny stuff. It's part information, part inspiration and a little bit commiseration. Thanks for visiting.

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Erin Schanen 🌿 The Impatient Gardener
Get your dahlia engines running. All the dahlia th Get your dahlia engines running. All the dahlia things are happening very soon. I actually started dividing my dahlias last weekend, about two weeks earlier than I usually do because the weather kept me cooped up inside. I’m glad I did it because I had some (not unexpected) losses that I’ll have to adjust some plans for. So stay tuned: we’ll be talking lots about dahlias soon. 😀
Want to give a gift to your future self? This fall Want to give a gift to your future self? This fall plant snowdrops and winter aconites and I guarantee you that it will bring you happiness the next spring. They are tiny blooms of joy.
A favorite groundcover and a favorite reseeder. Fi A favorite groundcover and a favorite reseeder. First off, you should know that I really love groundcovers. I would rather see a plant than bark mulch any time. Ajuga is a favorite because there are several forms (my favorites are ‘Black Scallop’, shown here, and ‘Chocolate Chip’) and because they can handle most conditions from sun to shade. Popping up next to it is Talinum paniculatum ‘Limon’ (Jewels of Opar). It reseeds around the garden and I just move it around where I want the chartreuse, succulent foliage. Tiny flowers in red and pink bobble on with stems, looking a bit like peppercorns. Then they drop their seed and come back the next year.
Make this the year that you grow a plant you know Make this the year that you grow a plant you know very little about. If you love your garden that’s all that matters. BUT I promise you’ll find even more joy it it when you broaden your horizons. I feel like I’m starting to see the same plants in gardens over and over again. By all means appreciate and love those plants, but also add something you have to learn about. There is great reward in getting to know new-to-you plants. 

Here are two good candidates you might consider: Athyrium niponicum (Japanese painted fern) ‘Crested Surf’ and Persicaria (or Bistorta, thanks to the taxonomists) amplexicaulis ‘Golden Arrow’.
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