Neighborhood Envy Blossoms Over My Flower-Filled Yard
Top Show-Stopper Plants for Stunning Gardens
Alan Titchmarsh, a renowned gardening expert, has recommended a selection of plants that can transform any planting scheme and create dramatic focal points for garden borders. Here are his top picks:
- Lupinus ‘Cashmere Cream’: This variety is ideal for the back of a border, offering a strong focal point with its creamy white flowers and tall spikes.
- Foxglove ‘Illumination Flame’: A semi-evergreen perennial, this plant can grow up to 1 meter tall and stands out with its uniquely shaped petals. The Illumination Flame variety, in particular, is a must-have.
- Penstemon ‘Laura’: Featuring pink and cream flowers, this compact but striking perennial is perfect for cottage gardens, growing up to 70cm tall. Modern hybrids of Penstemon can even flower in the fall.
- Dahlia ‘Muchacha’: A striking dahlia, this variety is perfect for cut flowers. Dahlias prefer full sun and rich, moist soil without waterlogging, and they flower from mid-summer until the first frost.
- Delphinium ‘Highlander Bolero’: Tall and intricate, these flowers resemble cake decorations and add significant wow factor to any border. Delphinium can grow up to 2.5 meters tall, and after the first flowering, the stem is cut back and fed to encourage a second wave.
Other plants that can make a strong impression in your garden include:
- Salvia: Described as a "show-stopper among fillers", Salvia is striking at the front of borders.
- Agapanthus: This plant can make a strong impression during its flowering season.
- Hydrangea Annabelle: Known for its giant white blooms.
Remember, Delphinium is the king of the border, Lupin adds height with intricate leaves and tall spikes of flowers in various colors, and deadheading encourages new blooms. Alan Titchmarsh also advises taking green cuttings of Penstemon in summer to overwinter indoors as "insurance" against harsh winters.
Fragrant lilies can also make a strong impression during their flowering season, and Dahlias come in all colors except blue. Foxglove, with its uniquely shaped petals, grows well in partial shade and most soils. Lastly, Delphinium requires rich soil and protection for young shoots from slugs.
[1][4] These plants are selected by Alan Titchmarsh as sure winners to transform any planting scheme and provide dramatic focal points for garden borders.
Gardening enthusiasts might find it beneficial to integrate 'Salvia' into the front of their borders, as it often serves as a striking filler. The home-and-garden section would also be enriched by the addition of 'Agapanthus', which makes a powerful impact during its flowering season. Incorporating these plants into one's lifestyle could lead to a magical home-and-garden transformation, similar to the recommended 'Lupinus ‘Cashmere Cream’', 'Foxglove ‘Illumination Flame’', 'Penstemon ‘Laura’', 'Dahlia ‘Muchacha’', and 'Delphinium ‘Highlander Bolero’' in Alan Titchmarsh's top picks.
