Design
Real-world layouts, planting plans, and experiments that turn everyday yards into thoughtful garden spaces.
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A Gracious Welcome: Why This Small Garden Works
Every time I get out of my car and walk toward my chiropractor’s office, the landscaping gives me a polite and gracious welcome. It sits beside a dark gray building, a parking lot, and a busy street, yet the garden itself feels calm. The colors, textures, shapes, and gradual rise of the plants catch my attention every time I pass. Why does this small garden work so well? Is it the strong red-and-green contrast? The mix of soft foliage and heavy stone? Or the way the planting rises from low groundcovers to rounded shrubs, then to the rose and tall…
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Summer Color in an Unexpected Place
There are so many everyday artists in my neighborhood. As I drive around town, I am continually mesmerized by beautiful displays of landscaping artistry. Some are created by experienced landscapers, and others are the work of humble homeowners — or, in this case, a creative gas station attendant. I came across this garden while filling up the tank last week. This fantastic display sits at a Shell gas station close to the entrance to a busy highway. When I asked about the flowers, the attendant explained that he grew the zinnias and marigolds from seed. The focal point in this…
