Great Foundation Plants for Landscaping

We are so excited that spring is just around the corner! It’s time to start thinking about landscaping, gardening, and outdoor spaces.

If you’ve noticed that there are some plants in your current landscape that may need to be replaced, Joe’s Market Basket can help. Considering a whole new look this year? We can help with that, too! We’ve compiled a list of wonderful, region-specific plants that can be added to your landscaping with information on their best placement and care. Enjoy!

Winter Gem Boxwood. The Winter Gem Boxwood is a lovely foundation plant that can acquire a golden bronze hue in winter but will be one of the first to turn green once spring hits. Plant this beauty in partial to full sun and regularly hydrate it. It will grow to be 4-6 feet tall with comparable width, making it a prominent part of your greenery. Pruning is important to keep it looking good with a cohesive shape.

Knock-out Roses. Looking for an easy, trouble-free plant to grow in your landscaping that adds a grand “pop” of color? Knock-out Roses may be the perfect choice! This rose bush blooms through fall and is highly adaptable. Liking full sun, keep this in mind when planting Knock-out Roses in your landscaping. There is a process called “deadheading” which removes the dead roses so more can bloom. Lightly do this and you’ll be thrilled with the results! Already own Knock-out Roses? They should be pruned in the spring for optimum results.

Endless Summer Hydrangea. Versatile and beautiful, the hydrangea is a fan-favorite. Endless Summer Hydrangea’s are known to bloom 10 – 12 weeks longer than the average Hydrangea! This shrub works best in partial shade to partial sun, planting it about 4 feet away from other plants and structures. Let one of our garden experts help you decide the best location for planting. It’s important to water weekly or even more often in extreme heat. Keep in mind the hydrangea reaches 3-5 feet tall, so pruning keeps it looking good. You can’t go wrong with cut or dried flowers displayed in your home: your guests will be in “awe”.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce. This small, dense evergreen is a perfect choice for narrow spaces in your landscaping. The tree will eventually grow 10-12 feet high but takes 25-30 years to reach maturity. The Dwarf Alberta Spruce enjoys partial to full sun with regular watering when the top 3 inches of soil becomes dry. The best time to prune is in the winter months and only on an “as-needed” basis. Their compact, pyramidal shape, gives your landscaping a bit of a formal statement that many homeowners enjoy.

Japanese Painted Fern. Have a shady spot in your landscaping you are unsure what to do with? Try planting a Japanese Painted Fern! This 2004 Perennial Plant of the Year loves full to partial shade and has a unique, dark blue-green color that makes quite the statement. Consistent watering is important for this 18-24 inch beauty. Cut back old fronds after new growth begins in spring for best results.

Wine & Roses Weigela. Looking for a “high-impact” display in your garden? Look no further than the Wine & Roses Weigela! Springtime is the perfect time for this plant to produce copious amounts of flowers which will re-bloom all summer long. Guess what else? Hummingbirds love this plant! Plant in partial to full sun and once established, watering is not regularly necessary unless it’s especially hot and dry out. It’s also best to prune immediately after flowering for best results.

Kansas Double Peony. This full sun plant is a lovely addition to any landscaping! You’ll love their huge, double carmine-red blooms and bold upright stems of this perennial! The Kansas Double Peony is an excellent background plant for spring bulbs or to use in perennial or shrub borders. This plant does grow quicker than many and should be planted 2-4 feet apart from other plants. It’s height grows to approximately 2 feet or less.

Looking to start preparations for your spring and summer landscaping now? Visit any of our Joe’s Market Basket locations to see our wide variety of plants, flowers and landscaping materials. We can offer additional landscaping tips so you can decide what may work best for your specific outdoor spaces. The experts at our Edwardsville, Godfrey, O’Fallon and Troy, Illinois locations are here to make your gardening and landscaping projects a breeze, no matter the weather. Give us a call today or find us online at www.joesmarketbasket.com.