Finishing Touches
Once all the shrubs were in, it was time to show the neighbors how to create a colorful entry using annuals, perennials, and bulbs.
I wanted to weave flowers and foliage on top of the wall. Some parts of the wall were 3 to 4 feet high, putting the plantings at eye
level for anyone pulling into the parking court. In the fall, I planted daffodils, tulips, pansies, violas, red mustard, and a few
perennials. I like using contrasting-colored plants next to each other, so I placed white tulips beside black violas. The creamy tulip
petals really stand out against the purplish-black viola blooms. For a contrasting foliar combination, I planted fernlike
green-and-white-variegated 'Brise d'Anjou' Jacob's ladder (Polemonium caeruleum 'Brise d'Anjou') next to the large, floppy 'Red Giant'
mustard.
All of my hard work paid off in the spring as the colorful flowers began to emerge and the foliage unfurled. My wife was happy, and
the neighbors took notice as the new landscape came to life. One neighbor, Earle Carpenter, stopped by and gave me the greatest
compliment of all. He said the stone wall and plants looked like they had been there all along.
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This article is from the March 2005 issue of Southern Living.
