Authors: Elizabeth Maurer, Extension Master Gardener, Virginia Beach; Bonnie Appleton, Extension Horticulturist, Hampton Roads AREC; Joyce Latimer, Extension Horticulturist, Virginia Tech; Leanne DuBois, Extension Horticulture Agent, James City County; David Close, Extension Master Gardener Coordinator, Virginia Tech and Holly Scoggins, Floriculturist, Virginia Tech
Publication Number 426-210, Posted September 2005
Figure 1 is the design for a 30-inch-wide container located in full sun. It is an example of a red, white, and blue combination of easy-care annuals used to create an America's Anniversary Garden.
Figure 2 is the America's Anniversary Garden design for a full-sun, 8-foot-by-10-foot garden bed or landscape area using a small tree, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. Each has at least one red, white, or blue feature.
The letters on the designs correspond to the codes on the suggested plants list on page 4. Use the table to identify substitute plants as needed due to availability or personal preference.
The America's Anniversary Garden website at www.ext.vt.edu/americasgarden has additional container and landscape designs, photos, and plant information.
Test soil drainage before planting. Dig a 12-inch test hole and fill it with water. If drainage is less than one inch per hour, relocate or raise the planting area, or install drainage to carry water away from the planting area.
Examine soil for compaction before planting. If the soil is compacted, consider replacing it with a good loam soil or incorporating several inches of an organic material, such as composted yard waste, to a depth of at least 8 to 12 inches over the entire planting area. Do not incorporate small quantities of sand; sand will increase compaction and decrease drainage.
Test the soil. Once the soil drains well and is not compacted, test the soil to determine if the pH should be adjusted or any nutrients added. To obtain a soil test kit, contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. A complete list of VCE offices is available at www.ext.vt.edu.
Do not amend the soil that will be used to backfill around the root-balls of your plants. Using amended backfill soil can cause water movement problems, causing the plant roots to be too wet or too dry.
During the growing season, plants need an average of one inch of water per week. If rainfall is limited, supplement with irrigation. Even during the winter, it may be important to water perennials, shrubs, and trees if the ground is frozen yet the temperature is warm. Use irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation and water reservoir devices, to conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and target the water application. Overwatering wastes water, may weaken roots and lead to root decay, and encourages undesirable weed growth.
Mulch benefits newly planted trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals by conserving soil moisture, moderating soil temperature, and suppressing competing grass and weeds. Apply mulch immediately after watering newly installed plants. Do not over mulch! Two to three inches is adequate, less if you are using a fine material, more if it is coarse. Use either organic mulches (shredded or chunk pine bark, pine straw, shredded leaves) or inorganic mulches (shredded tires, volcanic and river rocks). To prevent insect, disease, and rodent problems if using organic mulches, and bark abrasion if using inorganic mulches, keep mulch from touching tree trunks and shrub stems. Do not use black plastic beneath mulch around trees and shrubs because it blocks air and water exchange.
Perennials: Culture, Maintenance and Propagation, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-203, http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-203/426-203.html
Tree and Shrub Planting Guidelines, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 430-295, http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/trees/430-295/430-295.html
Reviewers: Debbie Dillion, program associate, Loudoun County; Laurie Fox, Extension specialist, Hampton Roads AREC; Susan French, Extension agent, Virginia Beach; and Barry Robinson, Extension agent, Montgomery County.
Container and landscape designs and watercolors by Elizabeth Maurer.
Code | Type | Botanical Name (suggested cultivars) | Height/Spread | Color | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNUALS | ||||||
A | lantana | Lantana 'Patriot Cherry | '24" - 30"/30" - 42" | red flowers | ||
B | pentas | Pentas lanceolata 'New Look Red' 'Mars Galaxy' 'Graffitti Bright Red' | 12" - 24"/12" - 24" 16"/16" 10''/10'' | red flowers | ||
C | angelonia | Angelonia 'Angelface White' | 12" - 18"/12" - 14" | white flowers | ||
D | bacopa | Bacopa 'Snowstorm' | 3" - 8"/20" - 30" | white flowers | ||
E | salvia | Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue' | 18" - 20"/12" - 14" | blue flowers | ||
F | verbena | Verbena x hybrida 'Temari Blue' 'Tukana Denim Blue,' 'Superbena Dark Blue' | 12"/12" 6"/24" 8"/28" | blue flowers | ||
PERENNIALS | ||||||
G | yarrow | Achillea Millefolium 'Red Velvet' | 24" - 30"/18" - 24" | red flowers | ||
H | daylily | Hemerocallis 'Frankly Scarlet' | 24" - 30"/18" - 24" | red flowers | ||
I | shasta daisy | Leucanthemum x superbum 'Snowcap' | 10" - 14"/12" - 18" | white flowers | ||
J | speedwell | Veronica 'Icicles' (not recommended for SE. Va.) | 18" - 24"/18" - 24" | white flowers | ||
K | cranesbill | Geranium 'Rozanne' | 18" - 20"/18" - 24" | blue flowers | ||
L | speedwell | Veronica x 'Goodness Grows' | 12" - 15"/12" - 18" | blue flowers | ||
SHRUBS | ||||||
M | redtwig (Red Osier) dogwood* | Cornus spp. | 4' - 8'/4' - 10' | white flowers, blue or white fruit, red stems | ||
N | bigleaf hydrangea | Hydrangea macrophylla 'Summer Beauty,' 'Blue Billows,' 'Blue Wave' | 3' - 6'/3' - 8' | blue flowers (in acid soil) | ||
O | Virginia sweetspire* | Itea virginica 'Henry's Garnet,' 'Little Henry' | 3' - 4'/4' - 6' | white flowers, red fall leaf color | ||
TREES | ||||||
P | fringetree* | Chionanthus virginicus | 12' - 20'/12' - 20' | white flowers, blue fruit on female | ||
Q | dogwood* | Cornus florida | 15' - 30'/15' - 30' | white flowers, red fruit, red fall leaf color |
View this document in PDF format