Spruce up a struggling foundation
By: Garden Gate staff
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Stunning entry
Get a well-balanced, colorful foundation planting — all it takes are interesting shapes and easy-care plants!
In addition to the dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca albertiana ‘Conica’), rhododendron (Rhododendron spp. and hybrids) and yew (Taxus spp. and hybrids) along the house, compact lacecap hydrangea is a great choice for the front. It won’t get floppy. And garden phlox, penstemon and flowering tobacco supply long-lasting color from spring to fall.
Just keep clicking to find out more about the plants that can turn a struggling foundation into a beautiful garden!
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Bronze Anniversary™ abelia Abelia x grandiflora ‘Rikal’ Type Shrub Blooms White flowers in spring with some repeat blooms through summer Light Full sun to part shade Size 2 to 4 ft. tall and wide Cold-hardy USDA zones 6 to 9 Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to
Bronze Anniversary™ abelia
Abelia x grandiflora ‘Rikal’
Type Shrub
Blooms White flowers in spring with some repeat blooms through summer
Light Full sun to part shade
Size 2 to 4 ft. tall and wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 6 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
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Arabesque™ Red penstemon Penstemon hartwegii Type Perennial Blooms Red flowers with a white throat from late spring to fall Light Full sun Size 15 to 24 in. tall and wide Cold-hardy USDA zones 6 to 9 Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
Arabesque™ Red penstemon
Penstemon hartwegii
Type Perennial
Blooms Red flowers with a white throat from late spring to fall
Light Full sun
Size 15 to 24 in. tall and wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 6 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
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Tuff Stuff™ lacecap hydrangea Hydrangea serrata ‘MAK20’ Type Shrub Blooms Pink or blue blooms, depending on soil pH, from summer to fall Light Full sun to part shade Size 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide Cold-hardy USDA zones 5 to 9 Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to
Tuff Stuff™ lacecap hydrangea
Hydrangea serrata ‘MAK20’
Type Shrub
Blooms Pink or blue blooms, depending on soil pH, from summer to fall
Light Full sun to part shade
Size 2 to 3 ft. tall and wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 5 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
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Flame® Purple garden phlox Phlox paniculata ‘Barfourteen’ Type Perennial Blooms Purple flowers in summer Light Full sun to part shade Size 12 to 18 in. tall, 12 to 14 in. wide Cold-hardy USDA zones 4 to 8 Heat-tolerant AHS zones 8 to 1
Flame® Purple garden phlox
Phlox paniculata ‘Barfourteen’
Type Perennial
Blooms Purple flowers in summer
Light Full sun to part shade
Size 12 to 18 in. tall, 12 to 14 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 4 to 8
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 8 to 1
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Flowering tobacco Nicotiana Avalon Bright Pink Type Tender perennial Blooms Pale pink flowers from spring to fall Light Full sun to part shade Size 6 to 12 in. tall, 9 to 12 in. wide Cold-hardy USDA zones 10 to 11 Heat-tolerant AHS zones 12 to 1
Flowering tobacco
Nicotiana Avalon Bright Pink
Type Tender perennial
Blooms Pale pink flowers from spring to fall
Light Full sun to part shade
Size 6 to 12 in. tall, 9 to 12 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 10 to 11
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 12 to 1
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