Planting en masse is a useful garden design tool. This technique may be employed with swaths of vibrant color to create a bold visual statement, or subtly to create unity in a garden. When seeking a more understated outcome for mass planting, begin by selecting an elegant evergreen such as Yewtopia® Plum Yew. Here, we show you four ways to use this versatile evergreen shrub in mass plantings.
1. In A Supporting Role
When planted in large swaths, low-growing shrubs create dynamic groundcovers, providing greater volume and depth than spreading perennials and vines. Add the graceful arching habit and fine foliage of Yewtopia® Plum Yew, and you have a delicate complement. Its deep green foliage provides a lush backdrop for dramatic blossoms. Use it to underline specimen trees and accent shrubs.
2. To Wield A Soft Touch
The fine texture of Yewtopia® Plum Yew’s foliage softens sharp corners and hard surfaces. Try massing shrubs along patios, decks and fencerows to blend edges and relax hard lines. Evergreen shrubs also work well at a home’s foundation, hiding the rigid angle between the ground and wall.
3. In Transitions
Masses of Yewtopia® Plum Yew may be used to create a soft blanket across a large planting bed and unite the more dramatic elements. The strong repetition of color and texture helps to guide one’s eye through the garden and ease the transition from one area to another. This creates a break between accents, preventing specimens from competing with one another.
4. When Scaling Down
The term mass planting may be a little misleading. Mass is a relative term. A mass of plants may vary considerably in size depending upon its relationship to surrounding elements. Even a shrub like Yewtopia® Plum Yew may be massed in a small garden, yet the grouping may only contain a few plants.
Expert Tip: A number of plants work well in these supporting roles when planted en masse. When selecting plants for massing, consider how texture, height and color may emphasize focal points or ease transitions. In addition to evergreens, grasses and deciduous shrubs may provide multi-season interest and offer options to fit any sized landscape.