HGTV.com Home Page HGTV.com Search

Message Boards

Guidelines

Full Guidelines

For general message board help, click the tab labeled "Tools," and choose "Help" from the dropdown menu.

More Links

Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
Reply
  
  Login/Join 
gilly99
Posted
Hi all…. Just looking for some advise for what would work well in the back of one of my flower beds. I am in SW Iowa, Zone 4/5. This particular bed is in the front of my house, facing west with full afternoon/evening sun. I want something pretty, and about four feet tall, because there are windows there that I don’t want to block, but need some vertical interest in the back of the bed. This bed has phlox (lavender color) and Stella D’Oro daylilies in the front, and there is a struggling potentilla that I hope comes back. (I planted two last year, the other one didn’t make it) Then I fill in with annuals, usually geraniums and vinca. Any input would be appreciated!!


Linda
 
Posts: 1 | Registered: May 12, 2008Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
mgt
Picture of mgt
Posted Hide Post
Gladiolias? They won't bloom til later in the season, but they're tall.


~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I've decided to quit my job, drop out of society, and wear live animals as hats."
 
Posts: 4357 | Location: Black Creek, WI Zone 5 | Registered: Sep 18, 2002Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
junco
Posted Hide Post
I think purple coneflowers would be nice and also Joe Pye weed and russian sage. These will give you height, although some Joe Pyes get a lot taller. I also have perennial sunflowers (helianthus mollis) and false sunflower (heliopsis), torch lily/red hot poker (kniphofia), obedient plant (physostegia virgiana)and annis hysop (agastache). Most of these spread readily, but are worth the work. My reference book lists others in the 4'(give or take a foot) range: delphinium, helenia, rogersia, baptisia and many ornamental grasses.
 
Posts: 163 | Location: Dayton, OH, USA | Registered: Sep 22, 2002Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
16paws
Posted Hide Post
Perhaps different daylily hybrids would give you color for 4 -6 weeks. There are early, mid-season and late bloomers. Some even rebloom. This plus the other suggestions would give you the height and extend the blooming season.
 
Posts: 845 | Location: Ohio | Registered: Feb 25, 2006Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
 Previous Topic | Next Topic powered by eve community  
 

HGTV.com    HGTV Message Boards    HGTV Message Boards  Hop To Forum Categories  Gardening  Hop To Forums  Perennials, Herbs & Flowers    Help me choose a plant....

Search:
HGTV.com
Services Popular Content About
Our Sister Sites

Comparison Shop for Home Decor & Garden Tools at Shopzilla & BizRate

UpMyStreet and uSwitch.com provide UK comparison services.

© 2008 Scripps Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.