Oak-leaf hydrangea, Persicaria polymorpha (giant fleeceflower) and Miscanthus sinensis (Chinese silvergrass) are the perfect contrast to bright red Knock-Out roses, Allium “Gladiator” and Baptisia australis “false indigo.”
Katie Brown planted the Zephirine Drouhin roses shown here.
White “Jacquemontii” birch stand out against a wall of evergreen rhododendron maximum and a carpet of pachysandra.
The Stewartia pseudocamellia, Brown says, “is nice because there aren’t many trees that flower in July.”
Leading to the house from the pool, an informal mixed border pops with double red Knock-Out roses, Spirea “Mellow Yellow,” “Flower Carpet White” rose, “Obsidian” Heuchera and Echinops bannaticus “Taplow Blue.”
Striped, ribbonlike Hakonechloa “Aureola” grass, Persicaria “Red Dragon” and “Frances Williams” and “Paul’s Glory” hostas line the walk beneath the birch trees.
Allium “Gladiator” and Persicaria polymorpha (giant fleeceflower) bloom amid the green foliage of peonies and iris.
“This raised bed initially was planted with roses, but foxglove and other ‘volunteers’ seeded from the compost, and perennials started coming through,” says Brown. She added irises and nepeta (catnip) spilling over the walls for more of a cottage-garden feel.