S u c c e s s io n p la n
fills h e r g a rd e n w it h p la n ts th a t ta k e tu rn s
s tr u ttin g th e ir s tu ff, r a th e r th a n
jo s tlin g f o r
th e s p o tlig h t a ll a t o n ce . S h e v a lu e s fo r m as
m u c h as c o lo r, fe rn s a re h e r fa v o rite s o u rc e
o f th e fo rm e r.
B e lo w , clo ck w ise fr o m to p le ft .
hosta&rhododendron
Here, rhododendrons and ‘Bridal
Veil’ daffodils are the first act. After the blooms fade, the hosta
provides robust foliage and, eventually, summer flowers.
fern & columbine
Columbine tints the forest floor with
violet and blue. Post-bloom, the mounds of foliage continue to
contrast texturally with lacy ferns.
tulip & autumn fern
Purple tulips are “so gorgeous with
autumn ferns,” Barbara says. For season-long appeal, this fern
(Dryopteris erythrosora
) is one of her favorite woodland plants.
bugloss &lady fern
Conspicuously veined leaves of blue-
flowered bugloss
(Brunnera)
echo the dark stems of eared lady
fern
(Athyrium otophorum )
fronds. After flowering, the foliage
of this group continues to shine. fib
For buying information seepage
242
.
BETTER HOMES AND
GARDENS MARCH
2010
99
