An Eclectic Flowerbed That Combines Complimentary Southern Plants, Succulents, Ornamental Grasses, And Edible Plants. Drought-tole

Question

rant, cold-hardy, includes winter color. Low-maintenance, zone 8a. Our current flower bed consists of a dogwood tree, Knockout roses, Endless Summer hydrangeas, and daylilies. There is no color in the winter, leaving our foundation garden dead and unappealing. We would like to remedy this by planting an eclectic garden consisting of succulents, ornamental grasses, edible plants, and traditional Southern plants. We plan to use pea gravel as our filler. Are there any plants falling into these categories that you could recommend that would compliment each other, including one or two that would offer winter color and/or interest?

Answer 1

If ornamental grasses are not cut down till spring, they provide winter interest. Succulents that are winter hardy will provide winter interest as well. Broadleaf or needled evergreens retain their foliage all year. One that I like is 'Sunshine' ligustrum. It has golden foliage year round. Loropetalum has purplish foliage that should last all year in your zone 8. Abelia is a flowering shrub that is evergreen.
These articles should help:
http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/waltonco/2017/08/11/surefire-shrubs-for-containers/
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-8/zone-8-evergreen-shrubs.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-8/zone-8-ornamental-grasses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-8/flowering-shrubs-for-zone-8.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-8/zone-8-succulents.htm