I've almost stopped planting anything but perennials, because of their low maintenance. Many lend themselves beautifully to mid-century landscaping and are very easy to grow. Although they are somewhat more expensive to plant initially, the fact that they come back every year and therefore don't require replanting makes them worth every penny to me. Here are a few suggestions:
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| Horsetail reed |
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| Horsetail reed |
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| Cape Rush |
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| Cape rush |
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| Papyrus |
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| Papyrus |
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| Kangaroo Paw |
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| New Zealand Flax |
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| New Zealand Flax and cordyline |
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| Cordyline |
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| Fountain Grass |
All photos from eichlerforsale.com
Some of these plants work well in pots too. I have a huge clump of fountain grass in a very large, flat bowl. It is surrounded by other smaller plants, some annuals and some smaller perennials. Although fountain grass is deciduous, the dry structure remains upright and is still very impressive during the winter.
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| My bowl of fountain grass in the fall |
Horsetail reed has become my new favorite plant after seeing a huge stand of it along a fence in front of a store in the Dallas Design District that specializes in outdoor decor. I don't think it will grow in my yard though, because I have huge 60-year-old trees shading almost every inch of planting space. If that can present a problem for me in warm, sunny North Central Texas, I'm sure it's a common problem for many mid-century home owners.
The
Plant Hardiness Zones divide the United States and Canada into 11 areas. Suitable hardiness means a plant can be expected to grow in the zone's temperature extremes, as determined by the lowest average annual temperature. You can ask your local nursery about plants suited to your zone that have a similar appearance.
