It’s not just about the color; consider form and texture when planning
your gardens.
Repetition
of color, form and texture as well as massing of plants create a pleasing flow
to the garden.
Using
more of fewer species increases the visual impact and decreases your
workload. You’ll have fewer seedlings to
discern from the weeds and less maintenance know-how needed.
The
big round flowers of allium are bold elements in the garden that grab your
attention. Repeated use helps guide
you through the garden.
Vertical spikes of salvia will peak out through the grasses, adding a seasonal
splash of color.
The
mix of tall and short plants is not rigid, but rather designed so all plants
add to the overall visual impact of the garden.
And
the finer texture of sedges and ornamental grasses makes a nice backdrop.
Use the same principles when designing gardens in the shade. The bold leaves of shade tolerant perennials
like Hosta, Ligularia and Rodgersia create a focal point in the garden. The finer textures of the shade tolerant
sedges (Carex) as well as Japanese
forest grass (Hakonechloa) are a nice
contrast to these. Use spiky flowers of
Astilbe and Bugbane (Actaea formerly Cimicifuga) for vertical accents.
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