Color Fields Western gardening experts Linda Iverson
and Libbi Layton share their favorite
regionally appropriate species for injecting
vibrant notes into a landscape. Linda Iverson’s Favorites 
Indian Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata)
“This plant is a long-blooming and sun-loving yellow daisy with a dark orange center. Growing up to two feet tall, it presents a nice contrast when placed in front of spiky penstemons. The dwarf hybridized cultivars keep their shape in gardens and have a strong splash of orange on the petals. I particularly enjoy the fuzzy cream-colored seedheads in winter.”
“A perennial herb with a soft lilac color, this species blends well with upright grasses and native yarrows. It has a strong fragrance, which attracts butterflies and bees, and it yields an abundance of essential oil. Plant in spring or fall in full sun to light shade, in well-drained soil. Water during the summer if rainfall is less than one inch per week.” Horsemint
(Monarda fistulosa)  “This drought-resistant shrub, found throughout the West, is last to bloom in fall with a burst of bright yellow. Best if grown without water to keep it compact; otherwise use dwarf species.”
Rubber Rabbitbrush
(Chrysothamnus nauseosus)
Linda Iverson Landscape Design
1270 Lower Sweet Grass Road
Big Timber, Montana 59011
406.932.5840 Libbi Layton’s Favorites 
Rhododendron ‘President Roosevelt’ “Rhododendron are popular here in the Northwest (so much so that they tend to be boring), but this variegated cultivar has yellow splotches on the leaves and therefore lightens up a planting under trees. Give it partial shade, especially in the afternoons, and good amounts of water.” 
“This is a small, lacy-leafed shrub whose maximum height is about eight feet and width is about six feet. 'Shaina' is more vertical and does not need a lot of pruning to retain its beauty. It's best protected from the hottest afternoon sun. Keep soil evenly moist but well drained.”
Japanese Maple
(Acer palmatum ‘Shaina’)  “This blackish-purple grass covers the ground well in full or partial sun and blends well with other plants. I love it next to the yellow-leafed Japanese Sedum (Sedum makinoi ‘Ogon’), which is a very snappy combination with contrast in both leaf color and shape. Black mondo grass can also be planted with blue fescue (Festuca glauca) for a subtler pairing. It needs very little water.”
Black Mondo Grass
(Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’) Libbi Layton Landscape Design
3328 Southwest Barbur Boulevard, Suite 4
Portland, OR 97239
503.222.2445 | 
