Janet,
I am working on a Tuscan themed landscaping project. I know that I have to make some compromises for climate, etc. and for the most part I'm doing fine, but was looking for two items that have me stumped. Are there any small ornamental flowering trees weeping or otherwise that you think would fit this theme that you could help me with? If not something like that any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I think something dark would also be striking against the light brick. The conditions are full sun, a window on one wall that would be behind the tree, near front door and curving sidewalk the brick on the house is tan and white.
I am also looking for a vine that would fit and work in our zone where everything I am finding isn't cold hardy that's used in traditional Mediterranean design. Would love it to be flowering, not overly large northeast exposure, same brick coloring. Having fun scouring books, but nothing seems right to me, and I want to stay as true to the theme as I can.
You've been very helpful in the past, and always pass on great info. If there is anything you can do to help me with this I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance. - N.B. -
There is definitely a need to settle for similar-look plants, N.B., since no way can we grow the heat-loving, warm winter plants of that region such as the blue Ceanothus vine (although a few people have told me they do keep one of the hardier varieties ALIVE in protected places in zone 5, and maybe even see a bloom or two... Okay for some maybe, but that's not what I would want of a plant I know can be a 30' x 30' blue-flowering expanse!) Most not-too big vines tha bloom well are annual for us (and good thing, in many cases. Blackeye susan vine Thunbergia alata is only, perhaps, 10' at the end of a zone 5 growing season while in zone 8 it becomes a suckering, shrub-smothering presence). So maybe you should be placing a Mandevilla in that place where you need a vine, replacing it each year?
There's a weeping redbud... its dark bark would look good against light colored walls. Could it be pruned to conform to the proper look? Hmm.. It grows a mile a minute so would require your acceptance of that "cost".
I haven't been to Tuscany so the look and feel of those landscapes doesn't spring right to my mind. Some of our Moderators have traveled in the Mediterranean, some have even guided garden tours there. Let's put this on the Forum and see if they can offer any help.
