A Garden to Celebrate the Beauty of Nature with a Focus on Water Conservation and Native Species

Designing a garden to conserve rainwater and grow native species is an important way to integrate suburban landscape choices into the rhythm of nature. I have worked toward this goal for the previous 5 years, attempting to combine beautiful and interesting flora with plants that support pollinators and wildlife. I focus on balancing native and non-native species to achieve a harmony of color, fragrance, and aesthetics throughout the seasons. The biggest challenge is finding the best plants that will survive and thrive in my garden.

Back Garden with Vitex (Chaste) Tree, Red Maple, Ginko, Hinoke Cypress, and Hydrangea

By replacing the turf in our yard with flowers and shrubbery, the yard has become an oasis for birds, small animals, and insects. Pollinators attuned with their respective floral food sources create a symphony of color and natural sounds. It is rewarding and joyful to witness the buzzing, chirping, budding, and blooming that reflect Nature’s magnificent cycles of life.

Rudbekia, Echinacea and Allium, Veronica

A crucial component to the success of these species is an abundant supply of water. Loss of water from impermeable surfaces like roofs and pavement is significant. Diverting this potential water loss into the garden is an important aspect of responsible water management and a goal that I want to achieve.

Conserving Rainwater:
Our small yard is situated on the side of a hill. I never noticed the extent of the sloping terrain until my measurements revealed an approximate 6-foot descent from the back property line to the street level in front of our home. I have built 5 boulder and stacked-stone walls to tier the land. Much of the rainwater now stays in the earth rather than running off. Additionally, I rerouted roof water run-off by creating stone streams that lead from the gutter downspouts into the flower beds. These hardscape additions greatly decrease water loss.

Mexican Beach Pebble Dry Stream

Native and Naturalized Species:
Finding flora that are native to the Mid-Eastern United States where I live is enjoyable and interesting. Rudbeckia, Amsonia, Monarda, Carex, Phlox, Echinacea, Asclepias, Aster, Auslese, Alleghany Spurge, and Zizia are some of the floral species that are successful in my garden. Beautiful native shrubs and trees add height, colorful blooms, and also attract pollinators. A floral garden with accents of Clethera, Fothergilla, Beautyberry, Inkberry, Itea, Abelia, Dogwood, Yellow Wood, Sweet Gum, and Redbud trees provides diverse hues throughout the seasons.

Fothergilla, Auslesse (Lady’s Mantle), Amsonia

Redbud in Full Bloom, Pagoda Dogwood Blossom

Plants that are native often become a delicious source of food for the animal and insect inhabitants of the garden. Rabbits are the biggest culprits because deer rarely venture into my somewhat urban setting. While much smaller than deer, rabbits are a formidable foe. In a single evening rabbits may eat all the Echinacea or Rudbekia sprouts, and even the larger plants. Rabbits seem to be cuisine explorers, willing to try just about anything. The interesting thing about rabbits’ culinary intellect is that when they decide to sample a plant, but do not like the flavor, they may forage every plant in the floral grouping. In general, this mischief occurs at night, so in the morning all the blooms are severed, leaves completely nibbled, and perfect stems with blossoms lie intact on the ground. Oh my… this is inexplicable and inconsiderate and explains the absence of Echinacea, except in plantings high off ground level!

In my garden dependable plants that flourish seem to march forward and often overtake smaller or less aggressive plants. The more successful spreaders can easily dominate and smother adjacent plants. Keeping clusters of plants protected from their pushy neighbors is important. Zizia and Alleghany Spurge are quite strong in overtaking other plants, especially plants that emerge later in the Spring.

Zizia

Non-Native Evergreen Shrubs:
Adding coniferous and other non-native species of evergreen plants adds year-round foliage, interesting textures, and offsets the barren appearance of large areas where animals have eaten the native species.

Hinoke cypress shrubs are a major accent to my garden. Native to Asia, this species of plant is hardy, tolerates/likes dry conditions, and has many wonderful subspecies that enhance the texture of the garden. Contorted Hinoke Cypress shrubs grow into mounded and undulating forms with a prickly texture. The upright Hinoke Cypress plants have soft new growth that is lime or light green with the older growth deeper in color.

A variety of Junipers provide a spreading, textured ground cover with hues from rich greens to blue-green. Blue Star, Procumans nana, and Daub’s Foster spread at low levels, while Trautman’s chenesis is upright, soaring like a spire.

Boxwoods and Yews add year-round rich color and texture to the garden. Boxwood shrubs add stature and are elegant. They are the stately inhabitants of my garden. Their small leaves flutter gently with the breeze. The new growth is a fragile blue-green that deepens as the leaves mature. Variegated-leaf smaller Boxwoods have yellow and green patterning of their leaves.

Hinoke Cypress Boxwood Juniper, Blue-Star

Non-Native Deciduous Species: Shrubs:

Hydrangea shrubs in varied forms seem to sparkle through the summer months with magnificent inflorescences. Hydrangea blossoms burst forth in late spring and into summer with pinks, whites, and blues. From flat panicles (Lacecap Hydrangea) to round balls (Hydrangea Bobo) to long cone-shaped blossoms (Oakleaf Hydrangea), Hydrangeas highlight the garden. Even their dried flowers have subtle, natural tones late into Autumn.

Hydrangeas in the Garden

Calycanthus, also known as Sweet Spice, grows vigorously and displays deep maroon blossoms that unfold throughout the early summer, revealing pale yellow and deep purple stamen and pistils.

Calycanthus, Carolina Allspice

Non-Native Trees:
Accenting the garden with interesting trees is rewarding for color, texture, and height. The garden has surprises that are like jewels to the human eye and sometimes to pollinators. A variety of Dogwoods, a weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, Ginkos, a Weeping Picea (Norway Spruce) that flaunts magenta-colored new growth, a Sweet Gum tree that soars upward, a Chaste Tree (Vitex) with delicate purple blossoms, and Thuja occidentalis Negra with very dark needles highlight of some of the trees.

Red Maple Picea, Acrocona Norway Spruce

Non-Native (and some additional Native) Garden Flowers:
Korean Angelica and Datura are among the most interesting and eye-catching flowers in the garden.

Korean Angelica is a bi-annual bloomer that produces large, mauve-colored inflorescences atop 4 – 5 foot high stalks. Even though it blooms only in its second year of growth, Korean Angelica’s broad palmate leaves are striking. The blooms and the leaves emerge from a very interesting bud that bulges as the leaves and flowers develop.
Datura is a late summer bloomer with glorious white flowers whose evening fragrance is incredible and effective in attracting its moth night-pollinator.

Astilbe, Heuchera, Asian Ginger (Asarum), Hellebores, Allium serendipity, Passiflora, Peonies, Ferns, Oriental Irises, Coreopsis, Acanthus, Hosta, and Clematis are among the many non-native flowers that sprinkle through the garden, adding a surprise of color or textured and patterned leaves.

Coreopsis and Veronica, Heuchera, Ostrich Ferns

Clematis, Acanthus, Tree Peony, Hosta, Peony

My garden is always changing as plants mature and areas of shade and sun alter with the growth of trees. Each year there are new challenges and joys in gardening. I am grateful for the evolving floral species in Nature that are the building blocks to the many varied gardens that humans create and enjoy.

Garden View: Green Spaces, Impermeable Surfaces, Water Pathways, Walls to Tier Land and Prevent Water Run-off

Plants in Rain Conservation Garden

Common Name	Scientific Name	Native to Mid-Atlantic Region
Abelia Kaleisoscope	Abelia Kaleisoscope
Acanthus, Whitewater #1	Acanthus, Whitewater #1
Achillea Peter Cotton Tail	Achillea ptarmica
Actae White Pearl #1	Actae White Pearl #1
Alchemilla Auslese  Ladys Mantle	Alche Auslese	native to Mid-Atlantic
Allegheny Spurge, Pachysandra	Pachydandra procumbens	native to Mid-Atlantic
Allium Medusa, Wild Garlic	Allium cepa
Allium, Blue Eddy, Ornamental Onion	Allium senescens
Amsonia Blue Ice	Amsonia tabernaemontana	native to Mid-Atlantic
Amsonia, Storm Cloud, Blue Star	Amsonia tabernaemontana	native to Mid-Atlantic
Arborvitae, Fire Chief	Thuja occidentalis Congabe
Arborvitae, Junior Giant	Thuja Junior Giant
Aronia Low Scape Mound #3	Aroni Low Scape Mound #3	native to Mid-Atlantic
Artemisia	Artemesia
Aster Snow Flurry	Aster ericoides	native to Mid-Atlantic
Astilbe Deutschland	Astilbe arendsil
Astilbe Look at Me	Astilbe arendsil
Astilbe Rock and Roll	Astilbe arendsil
Bee Balm, Monarda	Monarda	native to Mid-Atlantic
Bee Balm, Monarda Beebop	Monarda punctata	native to Mid-Atlantic
Bee Balm, Monarda	Monarda	native to Mid-Atlantic
Black Eyed Susan	Rudbeckia flugida, Goldsturm	native to Mid-Atlantic
Black Eyed Susan	Rudbeckia flugida, Little Goldstar	native to Mid-Atlantic
Black Eyed Susan Giant	Rudbeckia maxima	native to Mid-Atlantic
Black Monda Grass	Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens
Bleeding Heart	Dicen Spectabilis	native to Mid-Atlantic
Boxwood Golden Dream	Bixus Golden Dream
Butterfly Weed	Asclepias tuberosa	native to Mid-Atlantic
Carex Appalachician Sedge	Carex appalachica	native to Mid-Atlantic
Carex Hobb Bunny Blue Sedge	Carex laxiculmis	native to Mid-Atlantic
Carex Plantaginea, Seersucker Sedge	Carex Plantaginea #1	native to Mid-Atlantic
Chastetree, Shoal Creek	Vitex Shoal Creek
Chion Virginicus #7	Chion Virginicus #7
Chrysogonum Golden Star	Chrysogonum virginianum	native to Mid-Atlantic
Clethra Hummingbird #5	Clethora alnifolia	native to Mid-Atlantic
Clethra Sixteen Candles	Clethra alnifolia	native to Mid-Atlantic
Coreopsis, Tickseed	Coreopsis
Creeping Phlox, Emarald Blue	Phlox, Subulatum	native to Mid-Atlantic
Cryptomeria japonica, Little Champion	Cryptomeria japonica, Little Champion
Cryptomeria japonica, Little Champion	Cryptomeria japonica, Little Champion
Echinacea purpurea	Echinacea purpurea	native to Mid-Atlantic
Elderberry, Lemony Lace	Samabusccus racemosa	native, but a cultivar
Elderberry Black Lace	Sambuscus nigra EVA	native but a cultivar
False Spirea, Astilbe, Darwins Dream	Astilbe arendsil
False Spirea, Astilbe, Fanal	Astilbe arendsil
False Spirea, Rhythm and Blues	Astilbe arendsil
Fern
Festuca Elijah Blue	Festuca Elijah Blue
Fothergilla, Mount Airy	Fothergilla, Mount Airy	native to Mid-Atlantic
Geranium	Geranium
Geranium Rozanne, Cranesbill	Geranium rozanne
Goatsbeard	Aruncus diocus
Golden Ragwort	Senecio aureus
Golden Rod, Solidago Little Lemon	Solidago
Hepatica Acutiloba	Hepatica Acutiloba
Heuchera Autumn Bride	Heuchera villosa
Hinoke Cypress Graceful Dwarf	Chamaecyparis Nana Gracilis
Hinoke Cypress verdoni	Chamaecyparis obtusa Verdoni
Hinoke Cypress, Chirimen	Chamaecyparis obtusa Chirimen
Hinoke Cypress, Opaal	Chamaecyparis obtusa Opaal
Holly, Dwarf Inkberry Holly	Ilex Glabra Gem Box #3	native to Mid-Atlantic
Holly, Soft Touch Japanese Holly	Ilex Crena Soft Touch
Hosta
Hydrangea, Oakleaf, Snow Queen	Hydrangea quercifolia Snow Queen
Hydrangea, Invincible Wee White
Hydrangea, Bobo
Juniper Chine Trautman 4-5′	Juniper Chine Trautman 4-5′
Juniper, Blue Pacific #3	Juniper, Blue Pacific #3
Juniper, Blue Rug #3	Juniper, Blue Rug #3
Juniper, Dwarf Japanese	Juniperus procumbens Nana
Juniper, Blue Star	Juniperus squamata
Lager, Purple Magic	Purple Magic Crape Myrtle
Lanced Leafed Loosestrife	Lysimachia lanceolata
Lobelia	Lobelia
Lobelia, Black Truffle, Cardinal Flower	Lobelia cardinalis
Lungwort, Pulmonaria High Contrast	Pulmonaria
Lysim Lanc Purpurea #1	Lysim Lanc Purpurea #!
Meehan’s Mint	Meehan cordata
Mountain Mint	Pycna Flexosum #1
Nepata Early Bird #1	Nepata Early Bird
Phlox paniculata	Phlox paniculata
Pieris Cavatine	Pieris japonica, Cavatine
Pieris Mountain Fire	Pieris japonica, Mountain Fire
Pinus Densi Umbraculifera	Pinus Denis Umbraculifera
Chinese Redbud, Don Egolf	Cercis Chinensis Don Egolf
Redbud, Forest Pansy	Cercis canadensis Forest Pansy	native to Mid-Atlantic
Salvia	Salvia
Silene Short and Sweet	Silene caroliniana
Stokesia Divinity	Stokesia Divinity
Stokesia Honeysong Purple	Stokesia laevis
Stokesia Laevis	Stokesia laevis
Styrax Japonic Marleys Pink #15	Styrax Japonic Marleys Pink #15
Sweet Spire, Itea Little Henry #3	Itea virginica	native to Mid-Atlantic
Sweetspire, Itea Little Henry #3	Itea Little Henry	native to Mid-Atlantic
Sweet Gum Tree
Tiara, Spring Symphony: Foam flower	Tiara cordifolia
Turtlehead	Chlelone obliqua, chelone tiny tortuga
Veronica Iron Butterfly	Veronia lettermanii Iron Butterfly
Veronica Lavendar Towers	Veronica Lavender Towers
Veronica Red Fox	Veronica spicata
Veronica Royal Candles	Veronica spicata
Veronica Royal Rembrandt	Veronica Royal Rembrandt
Viburnum, Shiny Dancer	Viburnum, Shiny Dancer	native to Mid-Atlantic
Viburnum, Spring Bouquet	Viburnum, Tinus Compactum
Vitex – Chaste Tree	Vitex
Wild Ginger	Asarum canadense
Wild Ginger, Chinese	Asarum splendens
Zizia, Golden Alexander	Zizia aurea	native to Mid-Atlantic