How2Day: Plants for a Contemporary Garden

Contemporary gardens often feature stepping stones for their geometric form. Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
Contemporary gardens are often minimalistic, containing only a few plants so that each one is highlighted and noticed. Plant characteristics, like strong lines and shapes, as well as distinct color patterns help to create a contemporary garden display. Unfussy, highly textured plants serve as architectural accents and can often become focal points in the garden. When creating a contemporary garden, keep in mind that less is more. Group plants together in the soil or within containers to create small vignettes that are striking and defined.

New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) is an evergreen perennial grown for its attractive, firm foliage. It features 3- to 9-inch-long leaves that grow in erect clumps and resemble the shape of a sword. The leaf margins and midribs on New Zealand flax are outlined in reddish-orange; the foliage creases down the middle and folds into a v-shape. Color varieties on New Zealand flax are vast and include variegated leaves striped with pink, red, purple and orange. The rarely seen, summer-blooming, dark red flowers on New Zealand flax appear on panicles, or flowering spikes, above the foliage. New Zealand flax grows best in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, although the best leaf color develops in areas where the plant received filtered sun. Hardy, New Zealand flax tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor varieties. You can grow New Zealand flax in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 8.

Wormwood (Artemisia 'Powis Castle') is an ideal plant to grow in a contemporary garden due to its textured, aromatic, silver foliage that is finely divided and feathery in appearance. Wormwood grows to 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide; it serves as an excellent contrast to a flowering plant or other green foliage plants. Wormwood is a woody-based perennial or subshrub that rarely flowers. As an evergreen plant in warm winter climates, it helps to create year-round interest to the garden. In summer, the plant opens up to create a stunning display. Wormwood grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Wormwood can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 to 9.

Crimson pointe flowering plum (Prunus cerasifera 'Cipriozam') is a deciduous tree with a strong, thin, column-like shape and grows to only 5 to 6 feet wide. The white, spring-blooming flowers on crimson pointe flowering plum trees are followed by shiny, stunning bronze to maroon foliage. Crimson pointe flowering plum trees grow best in full sun. They have a moderate growth rate; their shapes and distinct foliage colors look stunning in a contemporary garden. Crimson pointe flowering plum can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to 9.

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