2026 Garden Planning - Part 1

As I'm looking at my spring garden projects, there is one part of my garden that stands out as a priority, the Backyard Berm & Creek Bed. With graph paper, colored pencils and markers I've been sketching my plans. Here's what I'm thinking for this part of my garden.

In 2022 we hired a landscaping crew to design and install the framework for this garden. At that time our city approved rezoning of the land across the street for more multi-family house. The plans were moving forward for a five-story 55+ apartment complex. With that prospect we knew we needed to start growing a buffer to the additional lights and traffic sounds that would be coming. Our neighbor to the east had already installed a dry creek bed that abruptly stopped at our property line. It just seemed natural to extend that concept into our property and bring things together in a cohesive manner. The apartments have yet to materialize which is great! It's giving trees time to grow!

Backyard Berm & Creek Bed Installation - September 2022

The trees providing the berm garden's structure include arborvitae, redbud, crabapple, and river birch. Shrubs include forsythia, lilacs, and three groupings of Knock Out roses. These trees and shrubs have grown quickly and are providing a nice buffer to the walking trail and street. All are performing well with the exception of the forsythia.

I've concluded that the forsythias aren't getting enough direct sunshine. My plan is to remove them this spring and replace them with a hedge of boxwoods. In researching varieties of boxwood, it appears that the NewGen Independence Boxwood may be a good fit.

I have worked to get some perennials and grasses established in the berm with mixed results. There is one clump of Bunny Tail Grass, and a section of Allium that are doing well. As for the rest, I'm going to remove and start again. Plants I intent to bring in:

Tiny Quick Fire Panicle Hydrangea

Cat's Meow Nepeta

Bunny Tail Grass

This garden is the view from the living areas of our home. I enjoy it most when it's packed full of summertime color.

In 2024 I used Proven Winners Supertunia Vista Silverberry, Supertunia Bordeaux, and some Verbena in the long border and featured Supertunia Vista Jazzberry in the little island. These colors looked great! The Verbena struggled to flourish.

In 2025 I used Proven Winners Supertunia Vista Silverberry, Supertunia Vista Bubblegum, and some Verbena in the long border and featured Supertunia Tiarra Blue, Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo, and Supertunia Mini Vista Violet Star in the little island. These colors were great as well. Again, the Verbena struggled. I'm concluding that deer or rabbits are nibbling on the Verbena.

For 2026 I plan to bump it up a bit to use not only the Supertunias, but add in some lemon coral sedum and sweet potato vine. I'm so excited to get to work on this!

For the long border:

For the Island Bed:

There are so many fabulous color combinations to choose from, it's a tough decision to narrow it down. I leverage my garden zones to have coordinating, but different color combinations and different types of plants.

I'm look forward to the first day of Spring, March 20th!

Here are links to some of the resources I've been studying:

NewGen Independence® — NewGen® Boxwood

Proven Winners | The Brand Gardeners Trust

Happy garden planning!