Corner planting isn't just an afterthought, it's an opportunity to turn those often ignored spaces into stunning, functional features. With a bit of creativity and the right plants, you can transform your outdoor living area into an inviting, lush oasis. Let's delve into some captivating corner planting ideas that will not only enhance your landscape's aesthetics but also maximize space and provide benefits like privacy, shade, and even food for pollinators.
Before you dive into selecting plants, consider the architecture of your space. Corner plantings can soften harsh lines, create focal points, or even provide a sense of enclosure. Understanding these dynamics will help you choose the perfect plants for your unique outdoor environment.
Evergreen Corner Plantings for Year-Round Color
Evergreens are the workhorses of the plant world, providing year-round color and structure. They're perfect for creating a lush, inviting entrance or screening unwanted views. Let's explore two popular choices for corner plantings.
Boxwoods (Buxus spp.)
Boxwoods are classic hedging plants, known for their neat, formal growth habit and dense, glossy foliage. They thrive in a variety of soil conditions and can tolerate partial shade. Boxwoods make an excellent corner planting, acting as a green wall that can be clipped to shape or left to grow naturally.
Consider using 'Green Velvet' for its dark, emerald green foliage, or 'Winter Gem' for its cold-hardy nature and golden edges. To add visual interest, pair them with contrasting evergreens like the golden foliage of 'Sun king' juniper or the striking blue needles of 'Blue Star' juniper.
Hollies (Ilex spp.)
Hollies are versatile evergreens that offer bold, glossy foliage and vibrant red berries in fall. They're excellent for providing privacy and are known for their tolerance to urban conditions. 'Nellie Stevens' holly and 'Yaupon' holly are popular choices for corner plantings, thanks to their rapid growth rate and adaptability.
For an interesting twist, pair hollies with broadleaf evergreens like Rosemary ('Barbecue' or 'Spice Islands') or Azaleas ('Mrs. G.G. Gerbing' or 'H sequoia') for a lush, tropical feel. Just ensure the plants share similar light and soil requirements.
Ornamental Grasses for Movement and Texture
Ornamental grasses are indispensable in garden design, providing striking vertical elements and dramatic movement. They're perfect for filling the often awkward angles in corner plantings. Let's look at two stunning options.
Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster')
This upright, linear-leaved grass creates a bold vertical accent in any corner. Its Fairytale-like plumes, which turn golden in fall, provide striking contrast to broadleaf foliage. It's drought-tolerant, easy to grow, and works well in either sun or partial shade.
Pair it with the wide, rounded leaves of Sedum 'Matrona' or the bold, silver foliage of Artemsia 'Silver Mound' for textural contrast. In the foreground, use the low-growing Aerblesk Question Mark (Cotyledon orbiculata) or Hens & Chicks (Echeveria elegans) to complete the composition.
Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light'
With its delicate, arching habit and silvery-green foliage, 'Morning Light' miscanthus adds a soft, flowing element to corner plantings. Its pink-silver plumes, which emerge in late summer, provide a stunning contrast to darker-foliaged plants. It's adaptable, tolerating a range of soil types and light conditions.
Combine 'Morning Light' with the compact, apple-green foliage of Ligularia (Leopard plant) 'The Rocket' and the lime-green upright foliage of Brugmansia 'Little Gem' for a dynamic display. The orange-red blooms of nearby Cannas will provide a vibrant accent.
As we conclude, remember corner plantings are about more than just filling space. They're an opportunity to create a unique focal point or screen an eyesore. Whether you choose evergreens for year-round color, grasses for texture, or flowering perennials for a bold pop of color, consider the architecture of your space and let that guide your design choices. So, go ahead, embrace those corners, and create a garden that's as beautiful as it is functional. Who knows, you might just end up with your favorite spot in the garden!