Anchor plants play a crucial role in garden design, providing structure, form, and year-round interest to your outdoor space. While omitting anchor plants may not cause your garden to float away, it can result in a lack of cohesion and visual appeal, especially during the winter months when the “bones” of your garden are exposed. Including and repeating anchor plants in your garden can help bring everything together seamlessly. In this article, we will explore some fantastic anchor plants for the Mid-Atlantic region that will enhance your garden and provide interest throughout the year.
One excellent anchor plant for the Mid-Atlantic region is the Kintzley’s Ghost® honeysuckle (Lonicera reticulata ‘P015S’). This native honeysuckle features unique blue-green foliage that resembles oxidized copper coins, making it a standout in any garden. Kintzley’s Ghost® is drought-tolerant, easy to maintain, and produces pale yellow blooms in spring that attract insects. The bright red berries that follow provide food for local birds, adding to the plant’s appeal. Whether grown as a twining vine on a support or as a wide, mounded shrub, Kintzley’s Ghost® is a versatile and attractive anchor plant for the Mid-Atlantic garden.
Another excellent anchor plant for the region is the Willow oak (Quercus phellos). Known for its graceful and airy form, the Willow oak is a must-have in any landscape. This tree provides light shade with its plentiful branches that taper towards the tips, creating a fine-textured outline. The small, lance-shaped leaves turn into warm colors in autumn, making for a stunning fall display. Willow oak acorns are tiny and adorable, adding to the tree’s charm. As the tree matures, it takes on a pyramidal shape, making it a beautiful addition to any garden in the Mid-Atlantic region.
For a pop of color and fragrance in your garden, consider adding ‘Beverly Sills’ bearded iris (Iris ‘Beverly Sills’). This bearded iris produces vibrant coral pink to apricot flowers with a tangerine beard on the falls, adding a splash of color to your garden in late spring. The sword-like foliage remains attractive throughout the year, creating a strong architectural element in the garden. Bearded irises are drought-tolerant and prefer well-drained soil, making them easy to care for. By dividing clumps every few years, you can ensure the plants remain vigorous and continue to make a statement in your garden.
If you’re looking to add multi-season interest and fragrance to your garden, consider planting Gold-leaf mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius ‘Aureus’). This shrub features brilliantly chartreuse foliage that shines in the landscape, complemented by simple, white, fragrant flowers in late spring. The sweet orange-blossom fragrance perfumes the air, while the vibrant foliage adds color and interest throughout the growing season. Gold-leaf mock orange pairs well with a variety of colors in the garden and can be pruned in winter to improve flowering and form. The arching branches of this shrub make it a versatile and attractive addition to any garden in the Mid-Atlantic region.
In conclusion, anchor plants are essential for creating a cohesive and visually appealing garden design. By incorporating plants like Kintzley’s Ghost® honeysuckle, Willow oak, ‘Beverly Sills’ bearded iris, and Gold-leaf mock orange, you can enhance the beauty of your garden and enjoy year-round interest. These plants not only provide structure and form to your garden but also attract wildlife and add color, fragrance, and texture to your outdoor space. Consider adding these fantastic anchor plants to your Mid-Atlantic garden to create a beautiful and inviting landscape that you can enjoy throughout the year.
