Gardening : Other : Spot Accenting : Home & Garden Television

By adding a splash of color or contrast, you can easily accent your landscaping, says master gardener Paul James.

Figure A

So what does spot accenting mean? It refers to the process of adding a variety of plants in different select areas. For example, in one of James' shade gardens, the predominant color is green. To spot accent the area, he planted some white caladiums (figure A), and they lightened up the area, perhaps too much. To balance the area, James added another caladium known as 'Miss Muffet' and a dwarf evergreen.

Figure B

He also plants a variegated Japanese sedge (figure B) to help balance his spot accenting. Sedge provides contrast of color and texture, and it thrives in shady locations. This sedge is a perennial that grows to about one foot tall and wide, and it's hardy to the southern limits of Zone 5. James recommends growing sedge in damp soil locations such as bog gardens. However, it does fine with regular watering, too.

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Another great choice when spot accenting with ornamental grass is Stipa (figure C). "Now this is a great grass," says James. It's native to Europe and Asia, but it's hardy to Zone 5. It doesn't really spread, although it can sometimes self-sow from seed.

Stipa comes in both low-growing and upright varieties. For a more vertical spot accent, try this S. capillata (figure D).

In addition to unusual plant combinations, consider spot accent plants in uncommon spaces for a surprising garden feature. For instance, James plants a juniper in a hole in a boulder (figure E).

Figure F

For bright contrasting color, these sun-loving coleus offer vivid deep purple and intense lemon-lime foliage (figure F). Coleus comes in all sorts of color variations, shapes and textures. They are not hardy except in Zone 10, so grow them as annuals either in the garden or in containers. And to keep coleus nice and bushy, pinch off the terminal growth now and then.

Figure G

"Here's another beauty that's relatively new," says James. "The coreopsis called 'Lime Rock Ruby' has deep magenta flowers (figure G) which bloom in such profusion that it's hard to believe this is just one plant!"

Figure H

Figure I

Another plant known for its abundance of blossoms is garden phlox. Nearly all gardeners have grown a species of phlox at one time or another and with good reason. Phlox is an easy-to-grow native plant, and most species are hardy to Zone 3. Phlox is susceptible to a fungal disease called powdery mildew when beginning to flowe, but this cultivar, 'David', (figure H) is virtually mildew-free, even in warm, humid climates. And its white flowers are a real standout, especially in front of an evergreen (figure I).

Figure J

Figure K

When it comes to spot accenting, not all flowers are created equal. "Wild violets are the bane of many gardeners, myself included," says James, "because once they get established in garden beds or lawns, they're next to impossible to get rid of, even with herbicides." James had never heard of anyone intentionally planting violets, until he found this beauty called 'Mars' (figure J), which features bright reddish veins in perfectly shaped leaves (figure K). 'Mars' is hardy in Zones 5 through 9 and does best in partial shade. From mid to late spring, it produces delicate, fragrant lavender flowers.

Figure L

Figure M

Figure N

If you want to create a big impression in your landscape, spot accent your garden with a hardy hibiscus (figure L), a popular tropical plant.

'Copper King' hibiscus is a stand-out because of its coppery foliage and pinkish-white, dinner-plate-sized flowers that feature a deep-red center (figure M).

Another spot accenting star is Alocasia (figure N), a member of the taro family. This annual grows in all but the warmest parts of the country, and is one of James' favorite foliage plants.

Whether you're spot accenting with colorful flowers or contrasting foliage plants, if you're not familiar with growing a specific variety, James recommends planting in a more controlled setting. "As I often do with plants I'm unfamiliar with, perennials in particular, I plant them first in containers as patio accents. Then if I like what I see and can no longer contain myself, I give them a permanent spot in the garden in the fall."

Also in this Episode

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-717
•	Spot Accenting
•	Garden Lighting: Enjoy Your Landscape Day and Night
•	Gardening Q & A: From Clay-Pot Drainage to Native Plants
•	Tropical Planning

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