Today I am at the home of Betty Langston. Betty has created a landscape that not only looks natural but feels natural.
Using Liriope is a great way to define landscape bed lines with a soft textural feel.
The pairing of Liriope and Indica azalea is continued from the front to around the back of the house. Tung oil used to be a large industry in southern Mississippi. Here a combination of a volunteer tung oil and southern magnolia provide a textural contrast with the azalea and Aspidistera cast iron plant.
In the foreground of the porch hosta, cast iron plant, White Christmas caladium, and woodland ferns shield the underneath of the porch from view.
The transition from Liriope edging to dry stacked stone continues the natural perception and leads us to the patio. The old brick BBQ and iron furniture gives the appearance of comfortable age.
Probably the best feature is the Asian sitting area Betty is creating. Set underneath a large Michelia tree.
Garden art abounds and most have a beautiful weathered feel. I really like the large blue urns planted with Iris, orange impatiens, yaro, and ceetum. A large earthen rabbit is planted with Heuchera, commonly called coral bells. On the porch is a stunning terra cotta planter with spotted dead nettle winding its path through the large stones.
Making your landscape look natural is always worthwhile, but making it feel natural as Betty has, is paradise. I’m Gary Bachman for Southern Gardening.