When we say this was our biggest planting project yet, we're not exaggerating. In one ambitious day, we installed over 100 shrubs and annuals in our west border—the space that once housed our beloved Limelight hydrangea hedge. This massive undertaking transformed our garden from a simple hedge into a complex, multi-layered mixed border centered around our pondless waterfall.

From Hedge to Mixed Border: The Vision

What was once a stunning row of 15 Limelight hydrangeas has evolved into something entirely new. While the hedge was beautiful, we craved the complexity and year-round interest that only a diverse mixed border can provide. This transformation represents our growth as gardeners and our desire to create more dynamic, naturalistic landscapes.

The key to this ambitious project? Having a clear plan and the right tools. Our power planter attachment for the drill revolutionized the process—creating perfect-sized holes for three-gallon containers with minimal effort.

Creating Drama Around the Waterfall

The pondless waterfall serves as our focal point, and we designed the plantings to enhance rather than compete with this feature.

Cascading Color at Water's Edge

Supertunia Mini Vista Indigo - We planted these compact petunias (6-10 inches tall) to create a "spilling waterfall" effect of violet blooms that will eventually fade to ghostly white. They'll spread to touch each other, creating one continuous carpet of color that softens the stone edges.

Bright Lights Pink African Daisies - A triangle grouping of these cheerful pink blooms (also 6-10 inches tall) provides contrast to the purple petunias. Spaced 10 inches apart, they'll merge into one mass of bright color. The best part? No deadheading required—they put new blooms on top of old ones.

Tough Stuff Aha Hydrangeas - These mountain hydrangeas will provide the perfect color bridge, blooming in shades ranging from blue (echoing the petunias) to pink (matching the African daisies), depending on soil pH.

Vertical Interest and Texture

Meteor Shower Verbena - At 20-30 inches tall, these provide vertical, airy texture with violet blooms that complement the Firefly Oriental Spruce. They'll fill space while the spruce matures.

Purple Fountain Grass - The red, strappy foliage creates dramatic contrast against the other plantings while adding movement and texture.

Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Shadow Storm Sweet Potato Vine - This stunning trailing plant caught our attention immediately with its unique coloration. Positioned to spill over the waterfall edge, it creates a living connection between hardscape and plantings.

New Varieties and Experiments

This project allowed us to trial numerous new introductions and varieties we'd never grown before.

Revolutionary Roses

Flavorette Pear Rose - Part of the innovative edible flower series, this Zone 4-8 rose produces shell-pink blooms with petals that taste subtly of pear. At 3 feet wide by 4 feet tall, it's more compact than many roses while offering the unique bonus of culinary interest.

Elizabeth Rose - One of David Austin's newest releases, this large shrub rose (4.5 feet in all directions) offers exceptional old rose fragrance. We planted it deep using our traditional English rose technique for better establishment and winter protection.

Next-Generation Hydrangeas

Powerball Hydrangeas - These panicle hydrangeas offer something different: mophead-shaped blooms on panicle hydrangea frames. With their 3-6 foot mature size and new-wood blooming habit, they combine reliability with unique flower form.

Pinky Winky Prime - An improved version of the popular Pinky Winky, this variety grows larger (8 feet tall and wide) with earlier, more intense blooms and a truer panicle shape rather than the original's lacy appearance.

Let's Dance Rhythmic Blues - Our continuing quest for reliable bigleaf hydrangeas led us to this variety. The "blue" in the name indicates it's easier to achieve blue flowers, so we added aluminum sulfate to encourage the desired color.

Exciting New Perennials and Shrubs

Beyond Midnight Caryopteris - This blue-flowered, blue-foliaged shrub (24-30 inches) attracts pollinators during summer's heat while providing striking color contrast against chartreuse plants.

Spice Cowboy Viburnum - Growing 6-10 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide, this new introduction produces massive, intensely fragrant white pompom blooms. We plan to develop it as either a multi-stemmed specimen or traditional shrub form.

Bubbly Wine Weigela - This 2026 introduction features lovely variegated foliage and will produce the pink flowers typical of weigelas. Its "Prosecco moment" adds textural interest to the design.

Strategic Plant Placement

With over 100 plants to position, strategic thinking was essential.

Creating Repetition and Flow

Throughout the border, we repeated key elements:

• Multiple groupings of Invincible Lace hydrangeas for consistency
• Sprinter boxwood hedges echoing those elsewhere in the garden
• North Pole arborvitae providing vertical evergreen structure
• Artist Blue ageratum creating neat edges in multiple locations

Working with Mature Sizes

We planted with mature sizes in mind, spacing shrubs to eventually touch while using annuals to fill gaps during the establishment period. For example:

• Powerball hydrangeas spaced for their 3-6 foot spread
• Pinky Winky Prime positioned knowing it will reach 8 feet in all directions
• Compact varieties like Pugster Blue butterfly bush given appropriate smaller spaces

Considering Viewing Angles

This border is visible from multiple directions, so we created interest from every angle:

• Taller plants toward the back and center
• Cascading elements along the waterfall edge
• Color echoes throughout the length of the border

Practical Lessons Learned

The Power Planter Game-Changer

Our drill-powered auger attachment transformed this massive project from overwhelming to manageable. Creating perfect three-gallon-sized holes with minimal effort allowed us to focus energy on plant placement rather than exhausting hole-digging.

Soil Preparation Strategy

Rather than amending every individual hole, we focused on:

• Using continuous-release fertilizer for annuals
• Adding Coast of Maine rose and flower soil only where needed
• Taking advantage of the rich compost already incorporated from the former hedge

Dealing with Obstacles

Even with the power planter, we encountered challenges:

• Large buried rocks that required hand-digging and repositioning
• Irrigation lines that needed careful navigation
• Varying soil conditions throughout the bed

Timing Considerations

Planting over 100 specimens in one day required:

• Pre-planning all positions
• Working systematically from back to front
• Having all materials ready before starting
• Accepting that some fine-tuning would happen as we went

The Numbers Game

Our final tally exceeded our original goal:

• Started with 101 planned plants
• Added extras as opportunities arose
• Successfully installed everything in approximately 2.5 hours of active planting
• Created a border spanning nearly 100 feet

This massive undertaking included:

• 15+ hydrangea varieties
• 8+ rose varieties
• 6+ evergreen specimens
• Dozens of annuals for seasonal color
• Multiple perennial additions

Looking Forward: Establishment and Growth

While the immediate impact is dramatic, the real excitement lies in watching this border mature over the coming seasons. We'll be:

1. Monitoring establishment - Ensuring all plants receive adequate water and nutrients during their first season
2. Adding irrigation - Installing drip lines to maintain consistent moisture
3. Top-dressing with compost - Improving soil structure and providing slow-release nutrients
4. Fine-tuning spacing - Adjusting placement as plants show their true growth habits
5. Adding finishing touches - Incorporating additional perennials and seasonal elements

The Reward of Ambitious Projects

Projects of this scale require significant energy and planning, but the rewards are equally substantial. In one day, we created a border that will provide:

• Four-season interest from evergreens and deciduous plants
• Months of continuous color from carefully selected annuals
• Fragrance from roses and viburnums
• Habitat for pollinators and wildlife
• A dramatic backdrop for our pondless waterfall

Most importantly, this project represents the evolution of our garden and our skills as gardeners. What started as a simple hedge has become a complex, beautiful, and highly functional landscape that reflects our current gardening style and expertise.

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Thanks for growing with us!