Patriotic Gardens: Developing A Statewide Corridor and Entrance Enhancement Program

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.

Corridor and Entrance Gardens

Planting patriotic gardens in entrance corridors throughout the state creates an attractive and inviting “front door” to welcome visitors and residents. A coordinated beautification effort can facilitate a strong sense of place and reflect the pride and visual character shared throughout Virginia. Whether your city or town plans to install an extensive landscape or a simple red, white, and blue garden planted beneath the welcome sign to your community, the impact will enhance the visual experience for tourists visiting the area. Communities may contact their local Virginia Cooperative Extension office for assistance with using these resources for local beautification efforts. A complete list of VCE offices is available on the Virginia Cooperative Extension Website (ext.vt.edu).

 (NOTE: Please refer to your local ordinances and state statutes for right-of-way restrictions before planning your patriotic garden on public entrance corridors.)

Garden Designs and Plant Selection

The plant list included on the following pages and the design suggestions will facilitate a coordinated planting program and offer carefully chosen plants for the red, white, and blue color scheme. The list contains plants that are easy to maintain, provide lasting color, and are suitable for the many diverse climate zones throughout the state. In addition, many are Virginia natives. This publication offers three design options for corridor plantings. These designs are intended as guidelines or suggestions for landscapes that can be created. All designs and plant selections are for full sun locations that receive at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. The plants - annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees - have been selected to have at least one red, white, or blue feature. These are suggested plants. If these plants are unavailable or inappropriate for your area, use substitutions from our plant charts or suggestions from your local garden retailer or Extension agent. Always select plants that are well-adapted to the conditions found at individual planting sites. Use the numbered Extension publications listed under Resources at the end of this publication for additional gardening and landscaping information. All of these publications and additional publications in the Patriotic Garden series are available online via Virginia Cooperative Extension’s website (ext.vt.edu).

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 any nutrients 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 cause water movement problems, causing the plant roots to be 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 one inch of water per week. If rainfall is limited, supplement with irrigation. Even during winter, it may be important to water perennials, shrubs, and trees if the ground is frozen, yet the 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, if using organic mulches, and bark abrasion if using inorganic mulches, 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: How to Plant a Red, White and Blue Garden, Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-210, (pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-210/426- 210.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: Leanne DuBois, Extension Horticulture Agent, James City County; Elizabeth Maurer, Extension Master Gardener, Virginia Beach; Joyce Latimer, Extension Horticulturist, Virginia Tech; Bonnie Appleton, Extension Horticulturist, Hampton Roads AREC; David Close, Master Gardener Coordinator, Virginia Tech; Holly Scoggins, Floriculturist, Virginia Tech

Reviewers: Greg Eaton, Extension Specialist, Blacksburg; Eric Bendfeldt, Area Specialist for Community Viability, Northwest District; Karen Carter, Extension Agent, Henrico County; and Monica Lear, Extension agent, Arlington County.

Landscape designs and watercolors by Elizabeth Maurer.

Original project supported by funding from Jamestown 2007.

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.

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

¹Dry 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.

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

²Virginia native plant.

Table 3: Suggested Shrubs Plant Selections for Patriotic Gardens.

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

²Virginia native plant.

Table 4: Suggested Small Tree Plant Selections for Patriotic Gardens.

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

²Virginia native plant.

Disclaimer: Commercial products, plants, and planting techniques are named and described in this publication for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension does not endorse these products, plants, or techniques and does not intend to discriminate against other products, plants, or techniques that may also be suitable.