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Tour: Backyard Courtyard Garden

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Backyard Courtyard Garden 8
Lamb's Ear
Red Fringe Flower cultivar
Japanese Boxwood
Hybrid Helleborus or Hellebore
Common Lilac
Lamb's Ear

Common name:Lamb's Ear
Botanical name:Stachys byzantina

This tiny shrub will grow less than 1' tall and has medium-size, greyish-green leaves with blue and lavender flowers that bloom in the spring. This shrub is grown more for its velvety leaves than the flowers. It is drought tolerant once it's established. Be careful not to overwater.

Red Fringe Flower cultivar

Common name:Red Fringe Flower cultivar
Botanical name:Loropetalum chinense 'Rubrum' cvs.

Red Fringe Flower is a shrub that grows 6'-12' tall and wide. It has arching branches with light green and reddish leaves. Pink flowers bloom intermittently throughout the year. This attractive shrub prefers afternoon shade and shelter from hot, drying winds. It needs a moderate amount of watering.

Japanese Boxwood

Common name:Japanese Boxwood
Botanical name:Buxus microphylla japonica

Japanese Boxwood is often used as a hedge. It is compact, with small bright green leaves. It can reach 4-6' tall and wide or be kept smaller through pruninig. It can be sheared to shape. It does better in areas with milder winters. It prefers full sun and a moderate amount of water.

Hybrid Helleborus or Hellebore

Common name:Hybrid Helleborus or Hellebore
Botanical name:Helleborus hybrids

The Helleborus hybrids are evergreen plants that are a favorite for many gardeners due to the variety of flower colors and ease of growth. They maintain their dark green, glossy foliage through winter. By late winter, cut back the old foliage to view the emerging flower stalks. It prefers rich, well-drained soil and light to dark shade. It looks great in mass plantings under trees or large shrubs for a woodland effect. Leaves, stems and roots are poisonous

Common Lilac

Common name:Common Lilac
Botanical name:Syringa vulgaris

Forms of the common Lilac grow to a height of 15' and are equally wide, but can be kept smaller with careful shaping. The dark green leaves are roundish, oval and pointed that grow to 5" long. In the spring, clusters of fragrant lilac flowers are borne. The plant requires full sun for proper growth.

Designer: Debbie Snyder-Brooks

Backyard Courtyard Garden 8
Image: 8 of 10

Photographer: Debbie Snyder-Brooks

Soils and Compost:

Incorporate compost 6" into your soil to retain water, reduce compaction, feed earthworms, and provide valuable nutrients to your plants.

Integrated Pest Management:

Develop healthy soil for plants that are vigorous and naturally pest-resistant.