The small red berries of this Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) stand out against last week’s gray snowy weather. The berries have persisted all winter, providing a food source for birds long after the previous year’s leaves have fallen off.
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Torch Lilly (Kniphofia uvaria), also sometimes referred to as “Red Hot Poker” is one of my favorite perennials. It is just so unusual. Orange and red are two of my favorite colors, and these plants really stand out in the landscape when in bloom as seen in this photo taken from my garden.
In addition to this plant, I have 3 other types in my garden- a blue leaf variety that is shorter, and gets red and yellow flowers earlier in the summer, one with thinner leaves with bright red flowers that appear in June, and another that gets pale yellow flowers. The one pictured above is the common variety (Kniphofia uvaria). It gets larger than the others and seems to require a little more water.
Aside from the flowers, these plants look great all year round with their grass-like foliage providing texture to the landscape. Torch lily is a awesome addition to any garden!
This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects. For more information about our business and our services, click here.
I took this photo a few years ago while traveling through Germany. I believe that this is a Tri Color Beech or Fagus sylvatica ‘Roseo-Marginata’. We were in a park that had several huge, towering trees that were covered in a pink hue! I had never noticed trees like these before.
When we got back home, I did a little research and the consensus seemed to be that these beech trees do not grow so well here in Colorado. However, I just looked it up in the Front Range Tree Recommendation List, and it was given a “B” grade (not too bad). Has anyone out there planted these? What experiences can you share about this tree?
This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects. For more information about our business and our services, click here.
I took this photo at a small botanical garden in Prague. It isn’t so much a stream crossing, but rather a wet bog area. What I like about this is that it causes you to pause… and ask, what am I about to step on? are they floating? The designer might consider putting small details around this area, since the visitor will be forced to slow down to watch their step.
This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects. For more information about our business and our services, click here.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) has a graceful form, and unique pink flowers that appear in the spring before the leaves emerge. The flowers appear even on the larger branches, and sometimes even on the trunk itself. Redbud is one of my personal favorites. In arid climates like Colorado, they should be planted in a protected location, in partial shade.
This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects. For more information about our business and our services, click here.