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How about perking up that drab Zone 5 to 8 patio or terrace with a sundial and some compact flowering plants? All you have to do is remove a few of the pavers or even chip corners off them, loosen the exposed soil and improve it with the addition of compost or other organic matter, then plant a selection of low-growing, sprawling perennials. We included species with attractive foliage for extended interest. A site that receives good light and sun for five or more hours daily is ideal. Additional water is seldom required after the plants are established; allow them to grow naturally without extra fertilizer. If you like, plant groups of five to seven low-growing bulbs such as crocus, squills and snowdrops for early spring color; press seeds of compact annuals such as sweet alyssum, portulaca and nemesia into the cracks for added summer pizzazz.
Key to Plan
1. Lady's mantle (Alchemilla mollis) 8 plants planted 9 inches apart; 12 to 15 inches tall; softly hairy, rounded scalloped leaves; sprays of chartreuse flowers in late spring.
2. Carpathian bellflower (Campanula carpatica 'Blue Clips') 2 plants planted singly; 8 to 12 inches tall; toothed heart-shaped leaves on trailing stems; masses of 1-inch-wide upfacing bright purple-blue flowers.
3. Cheddar pink (Dianthus gratianopolitanus 'Fire Witch') 2 plants planted singly; 12 inches tall; rounded balls of semi-evergreen blue-green grassy leaves; lightly fragrant, deep rosy flowers; deadhead for scattered rebloom. Good as cut flowers.
4. Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites) 2 plants planted singly; 6 to 9 inches tall; sprawling stems clothed with whorls of blue-green leaves; acid yellow bracts surround inconspicuous flowers in spring; may self-seed.
5. Yellow corydalis (Corydalis lutea) 2 plants planted singly; 9 to 12 inches tall; fernlike leaves; abundant yellow flowers all season long; self-seeds freely.
6. Wooly thyme (Thymus pseudolanuginosus) 2 plants planted singly; 3 inches tall; fragrant mats of tiny gray-green woolly leaves; small spikes of rosy pink flowers in early summer; allow to spread across the pavers; tolerates light foot traffic.
Garden plans courtesy of Country Living Gardener.
llustration by Michelle Buchard
