I'm building out a new bed (about 16 x 4), part shade until noon, then bright sun until early evening. It must be x-xeric, and tolerant of occasional temperature extremes in winter (highs of 60 and lows of -10 in winter, 100 and 45 respectively in summer).
The objective is to collect some HIghly Improbable plants -- blue does not exist in roses, black is almost nonexistent in most flowering species, etc.
I started out with the inspiration of "The Black Tulip" (Dumas), and put in a bunch of "Queen of the NIght" black tulips, accented by deep scarlet (nearly black) pansies, followed by "Superstition" iris and a deep crimson/black centered poppy.
For the Early June - August period I have "Wild Blue Yonder" grandiflora roses, Green Wizard Rudbeckia, and black mondo grass.
I need some more summer flowering plants, in improbable colors. Oddly shaped or contorted flowers (ex: ChimChiminee Rudbeckia) are fine also, with emphasis on darker tones.
This should be fun!
Mission Highly Improbable Plants
Want to join? Register here. Already signed up? Click here to login!
More Garden Design Threads
-
Suggestions for Blank Canvas
started by katboyd
last post by katboydMay 12, 20263May 12, 2026
