We all enjoy looking at overflowing beds with large blocks of color. Yet
there are wonderful lacy plants which can enhance your garden by
lightening the effect of those masses of color to add elegance and
charm. A light touch is something you may not have considered because
you are striving to achieve a lush garden.
There are tried and true examples of such lacy and delicate plants. One
of the first to come to mind is the fern which adds depth to the garden
when placed among bolder plants.
Fern with Ajuga
Other foliage plants which soften a plush planting are the silver colored Artemesias. Even Artemesia Guizhou, at a height of 6 feet, can offer a delicate touch with its dissected purple foliage.
Artemesia Guizhou with Echinacea
Grasses, shrubs such as Caryopteris and lace leaf Acers all offer a soft effect. Even a clematis such as Clematis recta can provide a cloud effect when paired with roses and other sturdy plants.
Clematis Recta with Aquilegia
A wide selection of annuals is available to help achieve a filigree accent. Consider Ammi majus,which I am trying this year for the first time from seed. We all know Cosmos with its lacy foliage, and it comes in several heights. Nigella is a dream with its hazy habit, and that is why it is called "Love in a Mist".
Nigella
One of the most popular plants these days is Verbena bonariensis. This see-through plant is an annual for me, but in warmer climates it is perennial.
Verbena bonariensis with ornamental grasses
There are many perennials which give the soft ethereal look. I am thinking of Baby's Breath, Goat's Beard, Russian Sage and Boltonia.
Russian Sage with Japanese Anemones
My personal favorite is Thalictrum which provides veils of lace in my garden given that it receives the moisture it requires. There are many kinds, colors and sizes of this gorgeous garden gem, and they can be planted in the very front of a border without hiding a thing. Thalictrum is also known as Meadow Rue, and its beautiful foliage mimics that of Aquilegia.
Among everyone's favorites is Thalictrum aquilegiifolium which has large fluffy heads of rosy flowers over gray-green foliage and purple stems. It blooms in mid summer. It also has a white form.
For late summer I love Thalictrum delavayi 'Hewitt's Double' which has soft six foot tall sprays of small pompom lavender flowers. I have a white form which you see here as a veil in front of astilbe.
White Thalictrum with Astilbes beyond
Thalictrum flavum ssp glaucum is topped by fluffy pale yellow blooms and looks nice paired with the heavier leaves of blue hostas, such as Halcyon.
One of the tallest and showiest varieties is Thalictrum rochebrunianum, which is both showy and graceful at the same time. Mine need staking.
Thalictrum roquebrunianum with lavender Astilbe
Thalictrum kiusianum is rock garden size. It forms an airy spreading groundcover with frothy lavender flowers. There are many more versatile Thalictrums to try in your garden.
Lacy plants such as Thalictrums are a delight. They fit right in even when you think there is room for nothing more in your bold, lush garden.
Gardenbug