Patriotic Gardens: How to Plant a Red, White and Blue Garden

A Statewide Garden Theme

Virginia Cooperative Extension developed five America’s Anniversary Garden™️ publications in 2007 to help individuals, communities, and groups mark America’s 400th Anniversary with a signature garden planting. The signature gardens have red, white, and blue color schemes. In 2026, the publications were reviewed and revised to help individuals, communities, and groups mark America’s Semiquincentennial. These publications are useful for creating patriotic-themed gardens.

Garden Design

This publication features two designs, one for a 30-inch-wide container and one for an 8-foot-by-10- foot landscape area. Both are for full-sun locations that receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The selected plants - annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees - all have at least one red, white, or blue feature. If these plants are unavailable or inappropriate for your area, use substitutions from the plant selection charts included within, or suggestions from your local garden retailer or Extension agent. Always select plants that are well-adapted to the conditions at each planting site.

The letters on the designs correspond to the codes on the suggested plants list on page 5. Use the table to identify substitute plants as needed due to availability or personal preference.

Soil Preparation

Proper soil preparation is essential for the establishment and good growth of landscape plants. 

Test soil drainage before planting. Dig a 12-inch deep test hole and fill it with water. If drainage is less than 1 inch per hour, relocate or raise the planting area, or install drainage practices to carry water away from the planting area. 

Examine the soil for compaction before planting. If the soil is slightly compacted, use a garden fork (for small areas) or a core aerator to create holes for air and water, then top-dress with compost. If the soil is highly compacted, spread a 1–2-inch layer of compost and use a rototiller to till 8- 12 inches deep to incorporate the compost and break up the compacted soil.

Test the soil. Once the soil drains well and is not compacted, test it to determine whether the pH should be adjusted or if any nutrients should be added. To obtain a soil test kit, contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. A complete list of VCE offices is available on the Virginia Cooperative Extension Website (ext.vt.edu).

Do not amend the soil that will be used to backfill around the root balls of your plants. Using amended backfill soil can lead to water movement problems, leaving plant roots too wet or too dry.

Watering and Mulching

Watering is important for settling the soil at planting, encouraging root growth into the landscape soil, and sustaining plants once they are established. 

During the growing season, plants need an average of 1 inch of water per week. If rainfall is limited, supplement with irrigation. Even during the winter, it may be important to water perennials, shrubs, and trees if the ground is frozen, yet the air temperature is warm. Use irrigation methods such as drip irrigation, watering bags or diapers, or soil donuts/wells around the root ball to conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and target water application. Overwatering wastes water, may weaken roots and lead to root decay, and encourages undesirable weed growth. 

Mulch benefits newly planted trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals by conserving soil moisture, moderating soil temperature, and suppressing competing grass and weeds. Apply mulch immediately after watering newly installed plants. Do not over-mulch! Two to three inches is adequate, less if you are using a fine material, more if it is coarse. Use organic mulches like pine bark nuggets, shredded hardwood, pine straw, or shredded leaves. To prevent insect, disease, and rodent problems, keep mulch from touching tree trunks and shrub stems. Do not use black plastic beneath mulch around trees and shrubs because it blocks air and water exchange.

Other Publications in the Series

Patriotic Gardens: Developing A Statewide Corridor and Entrance Enhancement Program, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-211, (pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-211/426-211.html)

Patriotic Gardens: Bulbs for a Red, White, and Blue Spring Garden, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-220, (pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-220/426-220.html)

Patriotic Gardens: Native Plants, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-223, (pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-223/426-223.html)

Patriotic Gardens: Red, White, and Blue in Fall and Winter Gardens, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-228, (pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-228/426-228.html)

Additional Resources

Annuals: Culture and Maintenance, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-200, (pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-200/426-200.html)

Perennials: Culture, Maintenance and Propagation, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-203, (ext.vt.edu/426/426-203/426-203.html)

Tree and Shrub Planting Guidelines, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 430-295, (pubs.ext.vt.edu/430/430-295/430-295.html)

Acknowledgments

The 2026 team would like to acknowledge the authors and reviewers of the original 2007 publication.  

Authors: Elizabeth Maurer, Extension Master Gardener, Virginia Beach; Bonnie Appleton, Extension Horticulturist, Hampton Roads AREC; Joyce Latimer, Extension Horticulturist, Virginia Tech; Leanne DuBois, Extension Horticulture Agent, James City County; David Close, Extension Master Gardener Coordinator, Virginia Tech; and Holly Scoggins, Floriculturist, Virginia Tech.

Reviewers: Debbie Dillion, program associate, Loudoun County; Laurie Fox, Extension specialist, Hampton Roads AREC; Susan French, Extension agent, Virginia Beach; and Barry Robinson, extension agent, Montgomery County.

Container and landscape designs and watercolors by Elizabeth Maurer. 

Original project supported by funding from Jamestown 2007.

Table 1: Suggested Annual Plant Selections for Patriotic Gardens. All suggestions will grow in full sun to part shade/part sun.

¹ Dry or Wet soils type: w= prefers wetter soil, m=prefers evenly moist soil, d=somewhat dry/drought tolerant.

Table 2: Suggested Perennial Plant Selections for Patriotic Gardens. All suggestions will grow in full sun to part shade/part sun.

¹ Dry or Wet soils type: w= prefers wetter soil m=prefers evenly moist soil d=somewhat dry/drought tolerant

Table 3: Suggested Shrubs Plant Selections for Patriotic Gardens.

¹ Dry or Wet soils type: w= prefers wetter soil, m=prefers evenly moist soil, d=somewhat dry/drought tolerant.

² Virginia native plant.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is proud to be a Commemorative Partner of VA250—The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. As we mark 250 years of Independence, come reconnect with your country in the place that made it possible. Join us at VA250.org.