America's Anniversary Garden: A Statewide Corridor and Entrance Enhancement Program

Authors: Leanne DuBois, Extension Horticulture Agent, James City County; Elizabeth Maurer, Extension Master Gardener, Virginia Beach; Joyce Latimer, Extension Horticulturist, Virginia Tech; Bonnie Appleton, Extension Horticulturist, Hampton Roads AREC; David Close, Master Gardener Coordinator, Virginia Tech; and Holly Scoggins, Floriculturist, Virginia Tech

Publication Number 426-211, Posted November 2005

The Commemoration

The Statewide Garden Theme

Corridor and Entrance Gardens

(NOTE: Please refer to your local ordinances and state statutes for right-of-way restrictions prior to planning your America's Anniversary Garden on public entrance corridors.)

Garden Designs and Plant Selection

This publication offers three design options for corridor plantings. These designs are intended as guidelines or suggestions of landscapes that can be created. All designs and plant selections are for full sun locations. The plants - annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees - have been selected to have at least one red, white, or blue feature. These are suggested plants. If these plants are unavailable or inappropriate for your area, use substitutions from our plant charts or suggestions from your local garden retailer or Extension agent. Always select plants that are well-adapted to the conditions found at individual planting sites. Use the numbered Extension publications listed under Resources at the end of this publication for additional gardening and landscaping information. All of these publications are available online via Virginia Cooperative Extension's website, www.ext.vt.edu. See www.ext.vt.edu/americasgarden for additional container and landscape designs, photos, and plant information.

Low-Clearance Sign. This design for a low-clearance sign located in full sun is an example of a red, white, and blue combination of easy-care annuals and perennials used to create an America's Anniversary Garden. The overall garden size is 10 feet by 10 feet. See the code column under annuals and perennials to identify the plants. Use substitute plants as needed or available. Notice that two options have been given for each plant (two codes which refer to the suggested plant selection list on page 5).

High-Clearance Sign. This America's Anniversary Garden design, for a tall sign with three to four feet of clearance and located in full sun, uses a larger collection of taller annuals and perennials - each with at least one red, white, or blue feature. The overall garden size is 10 feet by 10 feet. If space allows, select one or more of the small trees or shrubs to place behind the sign. See the code columns under each plant category to identify the plants. Again, two options have been given for each plant (two codes which refer to the suggested plant selection list on page 5).

Large Corridor Design. This landscape design is for a larger, 20 feet by 40 feet, corridor planting in a full to part sun location. This design includes more woody shrubs and trees in addition to annuals and perennials. See the code columns under each plant category to identify the plants and the two options given for each plant (two codes which refer to the suggested plant selection list on page 5).

Soil Preparation

Test soil drainage before planting. Dig a 12-inch test hole and fill it with water. If drainage is less than one inch per hour, relocate or raise the planting area, or install drainage to carry water away from the planting area.

Examine soil for compaction before planting. If the soil is compacted, consider replacing it with a good loam soil or incorporating several inches of an organic material, such as composted yard waste, to a depth of at least 8 to 12 inches over the entire planting area. Do not incorporate small quantities of sand; sand will increase compaction and decrease drainage.

Test the soil. Once the soil drains well and is not compacted, test the soil to determine if the pH should be adjusted or any nutrients added. To obtain a soil test kit, contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. A complete list of VCE offices is available at www.ext.vt.edu.

Do not amend the soil that will be used to backfill around the root-balls of your plants. Using amended backfill soil can cause water movement problems, causing the plant roots to be too wet or too dry.

Watering and Mulching

During the growing season, plants need an average of one inch of water per week. If rainfall is limited, supplement with irrigation. Even during the winter, it may be important to water perennials, shrubs, and trees if the ground is frozen yet the temperature is warm. Use irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation and water reservoir devices, to conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and target the water application. Overwatering wastes water, may weaken roots and lead to root decay, and encourages undesirable weed growth.

Mulch benefits newly planted trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals by conserving soil moisture, moderating soil temperature, and suppressing competing grass and weeds. Apply mulch immediately after watering newly installed plants. Do not over mulch! Two to three inches is adequate, less if you are using a fine material, more if it is coarse. Use either organic mulches (shredded or chunk pine bark, pine straw, shredded leaves) or inorganic mulches (shredded tires, volcanic and river rocks). To prevent insect, disease, and rodent problems if using organic mulches, and bark abrasion if using inorganic mulches, keep mulch from touching tree trunks and shrub stems. Do not use black plastic beneath mulch around trees and shrubs because it blocks air and water exchange.

Show Your Colors, Virginia!

Resources and Acknowledgements

Plant America's Anniversary Garden, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-210, http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-210/426-210.html

Annuals: Culture and Maintenance, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-200, http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-200/426-200.html

Perennials: Culture, Maintenance and Propagation, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-203, http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-203/426-203.html

Tree and Shrub Planting Guidelines, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 430-295, http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/trees/430-295/430-295.html

Special thanks to our reviewers: Greg Eaton, Extension Specialist, Blacksburg; Eric Bendfeldt, Area Specialist for Community Viability, Northwest District; Karen Carter, Extension Agent, Henrico County; and Monica Lear, Extension agent, Arlington County.

Landscape designs and watercolors by Elizabeth Maurer.

Project supported by funding from Jamestown 2007.

Planting Tips for Annuals and Perennials

• Annuals and perennials grow best when the planting site has been well prepared before planting. Perennials, like trees and shrubs, will be in the same spot for several years so bed preparation is more important than with annuals alone. Amend the soil to correct problems with drainage and acidity or alkalinity. Incorporate several inches of compost or other organic matter throughout the entire bed to improve soil structure.
• Gradually acclimate greenhouse-grown plants by placing the pots outdoors in a spot sheltered from strong winds and direct sun. Water them as needed and increase their sun exposure daily. Protect them from frost.
• Before planting, water the plants well. To reduce plant stress, plant in the late afternoon or on a cloudy day.
• Remove a plant from its container by gently knocking on the bottom of the inverted pot. Do not pull on the stems as this may damage the plant.
• Gently pull the surface roots away from the bottom of the root-ball to reduce root circling. If a root-ball is very compacted, make a few shallow cuts through the roots on the side and bottom of the root-ball.
• Water new plants in thoroughly with a water-soluble plant food, or after applying a season long, controlled-release fertilizer.

Suggested Plant Selections for America's Anniversary Garden

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