Border Rescue

Match a modern house with prairie-style planting for a contemporary look, says our expert, Ian Hodgson

Match a modern house with prairie-style planting

Q

The builders have wrecked my front garden – help!

THIS MODERN mid-century house, owned by Tim and Kerry Unwin, is typical of many suburban homes that enjoy a corner plot. In a bid to create more living space they’ve extended the house out to the side – changing the shape of the garden in the process. In my view, the south-facing plot that remains is begging for some open, informal prairie-style planting, using grasses and other sun lovers in pink and purple. First we need to create a visual balance for the existing mature plum tree. I’m going for a compact pampas grass, Cortaderia selloana ‘Pumila’ (H1.5m/5ft, S1.2m/4ft). It’s a trendy-again plant that suits the modern aesthetic of this 1970s’ property. Positioned to the right it will provide a strong punctuation point for the rest of the prairie-style planting and draw the eye away from the telegraph pole.

Next, to pick up on the colour of the plum tree foliage, I’m going to include some maroonburgundy foliage and flowers. Heuchera ‘Plum Pudding’ can be dotted through the planting scheme, alongside Lysimachia atropurpurea ‘Beaujolais’ (H60cm/2ft, S50cm/20in), Aquilegia vulgaris stellata ‘Ruby Port’ (H90cm/3ft, S45cm/18in) and the button-like bobbles of sanguisorba ‘Tanna’ (H50cm/20in, S40cm/16in). To screen the new sitting room from passersby, I’m going to suggest planting tall, semi-transparent grasses, such as Stipa gigantea (H2.5m/8ft, S1.2m/ 4ft), Calamagrostis brachytricha (H1m/3ft 3in, S90cm/3ft) and Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ (H and S1.2m/4ft) – all of which will bring texture and movement to the planting scheme. Shorter grasses such as Stipa tenuissima can be drifted through, accompanied by pretty pink perennials such as liatris, veronicastrum, echinacea and salvia. Many of these have an upright, spiky look to contrast with the softer, more arching grasses. To finish let’s make a statement by the front door by adding in a couple of phormium ‘Pink Stripe’ (H2m/6½ft, S1.5m/5ft) in large battleship-grey planters.

● Is your garden in need of Ian’s help? Write to gardenanswers@bauermedia.co.ukk