Landscaping Your Monument Sign

PROPER LANDSCAPING FOR YOUR NEW MONUMENT SIGN

 

The project has been well thought out. Designs and estimates are created. Engineering, permits – so much has gone into your beautiful new monument sign. Time for the landscaping.

So many times the type of landscaping plants are not considered in the project. Just make it look nice. Then a couple months later, you can’t even see the monument. Those plants that were to enhance the sign have now matured and taken over.

Carefully planning the landscaping and the monument sign collectively is not common but should be considered. Your substantial investment deserves the proper embellishment.

 

If you choose to have your landscaper do the planting independently of the sign, here are a few guidelines to ensure your contentment with the outcome:

1. Matured plant height should be not taller than 6” below the lettering or sign panel.
2. Taller plants on the sides will create a frame for your Monument sign.
3. Utilizing low spreading evergreens will offer up year round appeal.
4. Choose a color scheme that will enhance your sign, not compete with it.
5. If you have ground lighting, consider the angle of the lighting prior to placement of the plants. You don’t want strange shadows thrown on the sign face making it impossible to read at night.

Here are a few plant and shrub suggestions:

1. Although it can grow to a height of 5’ it can be easily trimmed and shaped.
2. Drought resistant and can even survive in sandy soil.
3. Christmas Holly. Grows to a height of 15” in full sun or part shade. Dark green leaves and red berries offer a dramatic show.
4. Blue Star Juniper. This evergreen grows to a maximum height of 2’ and offers a showy blue color.
5. This very slow growing shrub grows to a height of 18”, has variegated leaves and purple flowers.
6. Moonshadow Euonymus. Green and gold shrub grows to 3’ tall and can be trained to climb walls.
7. Tuscan Sun Perennial Sunflower. Grows to a height of 15” in full sun to partial shade & has an extended blooming season.
8. Fall blooming plant grows in full sun to a height of 12 – 16”.
9. Vinca Minor aka Periwinkle. Evergreen ground cover with showy purple flowers.
10. Adnophora Liliifolia aka Ladybells. Grows to a height of 18” and is a prolific spreader. Delicate purple bells atop a light green foliage.
11. Coral Bells. The dainty bell-shaped flowers on long stems grow to a height of 18” and are resistant to disease, drought and pests.
12. Blanket Flower. This tough, hardy perennial grows to a height of 15” and is drought and deer resistant.
13. Hosta. These easy to grow, shade loving plants come in a wide variety of foliage colors and textures. Tall stems with lily-like flowers present in spring.
14. Candytuft. This evergreen ground cover grows to a height of 8” – 10” and is blanketed in white blooms. Note: not all Candytuft is perennial.

Of course with all garden planning you’ll need to take into consideration what zone you’re in, your soil type, light and water availiblity. Happy gardening!