What Plants for an Italian Garden?

Evergreens

• Generally, evergreens such as rosemary, myrtle and box hedge are used to separate the garden's beds. They also form the shape of the Italian Garden, and because other plants in the garden die out in the cooler months, evergreens provide pleasing, year-round color.

Fruit Trees

• Potted fruit trees in an Italian Garden give the gardener the option to move the trees to various locations to change the view of the garden. Citrus trees that are potted can be moved inside during cold weather and outside in warm weather. Fruit trees can also be planted against a wall or trained to act as an arch in the garden.

Statuary and Topiary

• To add a bit of personality to the Italian Garden, use topiary, evergreens trimmed into interesting shapes. Placed throughout the garden in terra-cotta pots, they provide whimsical touches and can be easily moved from one location to another. Many gardeners choose to use statuary accents near topiary.

Climbing Plants and Trellises

• Trellises provide separation from one part of the garden to another. Climbing or clinging plants such as grape vines, honeysuckle and ivy are excellent trellis plants. Some varieties of roses, such as ramblers, tea roses and English roses are also good climbers and make a pleasant covering for gazebos, trellises and arches.

Garden Paths

• Choose tough plants to create pathways around the perimeter and throughout the Italian Garden to provide a walking path for exercise and different views throughout the garden. The paths are generally comprised of walking stones with plants that tolerate traffic. Hardy plants to use between stones are Creeping Charlie, which prefers partial shade, Creeping Lamium in partial to full shade, and Creeping Thyme, which can be grown equally well in full sun and shade.

Bedding Plants

• Bedding plants such as herbs, salvia and roses are planted around taller plants, such as an evergreen or a fruit tree. Tulips and lupines also work well in this area. Choose flowering plants in colors that provide complementary hues or some contrast to the taller plants to create interest in the garden.