Easy-Care Tapestry Gardens

Tapestry gardens aren't your typical neatly arranged flowerbeds; they're a riot of color and texture, designed for visual interest with minimal upkeep.

Clockwise from top: red cranesbill (Geranium sp.), sea lavender (Limonium perezii), tree houseleek (Aeonium sp.) in  flower, rock purslane (Calandrinia spectabilis), and blue chalk sticks (Senecio mandraliscae)

The idea behind a tapestry garden is to create sweeping layers of color. Choose mostly groundcovers as well as perennials and shrubs planted in masses that knit together. Punctuate the softness of the design with structural plants such as cacti and large succulents. By using tough, low maintenance plants like the ones below, you can have a a stunning garden for very little work.

Tapestry featuring pink ice plant groundcover (Delosperma spp.). Agaves, yucca, and cacti provide vertical layers and structural interest.

Plant ideas for a low-maintenance tapestry garden:

Groundcovers (lowest layer):

• Trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis): low-growing groundcover with clusters of small flowers that bloom almost year-round. Great for covering slopes or cascading over walls.

• African daisies (Osteospermum spp.): bright, cheerful daisies with long bloom-time

• Blue chalksticks (Senecio mandraliscae): succulent with slender, blue-gray stems

• Ice Plant groundcovers (Delosperma spp.): dense mat of succulent foliage and bright flowers create a carpet in shades of pink, purple, red, yellow, or white

Shrub layer (middle layers):

• Rock roses (Cistus spp.): evergreen shrubs known for their pink (or white), papery flowers. Thrives in tough, sunny locations and poor soils.

• Bush lantana (Lantana camara): tough shrub known for its clusters of long-blooming flowers. Wide variety of colors and forms. Tough plant.

• Golden Breath of Heaven (Coleonema pulchellum 'Sunset Gold'): Evergreen shrub with chartreuse, fine-textured foliage and small pink flowers.

• Sea Lavender (Limonium perezii): Delicate sprays of purple-blue flowers.

• Spurge (Euphorbia spp.):  the foliage and floral "bracts" of this plant have an interesting, exotic texture and look.

• Zonal or scented geraniums (Geranium spp.): Classic flowering plants with a variety of colors, scents, and foliage. Tough as nails, remedy for a problem spot.

• Rock purslane (Calandrinia spectabilis): Low-growing succulent with vibrant poppy-like fuchsia flowers on tall, wand-like stems.

Structural plants:

• Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans): Large, impressive shrub with tall spikes of vibrant blue or purple flowers, often seen on slopes in coastal gardens.

• Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata): striking architectural succulent with with a rosette of leaves. Looks sharp but is not spikey!

• Tree houseleeks (Aeonium spp.): striking plate-like rosettes of succulent leaves.

  
  

Wallflower (Erysimum 'Bowles' Mauve') in the foreground, surrounded by white lantana (Lantana montevidensis) and sea lavender (Limonium perezii)

Tapestry gardens are a fantastic option for those who want a visually stunning garden without spending hours on maintenance. The key is to choose plants that are well-suited to your local climate and soil conditions, and to group them in a way that creates a harmonious and visually appealing design.

Dwarf carpet of stars (Ruschia lineolata 'Nana')