foliage texture

Design
The Best of the Bee Balms

Every gardener has experienced love at first sight with at least one plant, but many of us have had more of a love-hate relationship with bee balm (Monarda spp. and…
Design
The Best New Hydrangeas

If you grew up on the East Coast as I did, you know that hydrangeas are an iconic plant. I dare anyone to visit Cape Cod in the summer and…
Design
A Gentle Approach to Planting on a Slope

When creating a new garden design, I first analyze existing elements, deciding what works, what doesn’t, and why. Architectural and hardscaping elements are a good place to begin. When my…
Design
12 Brilliant Astilbes

Astilbe, translated from Greek, means “without brilliance.” Maybe the wild astilbes that earned this dismissive genus name were drab, but today’s cultivars offer bright flowers, great foliage, and steadfast performance…
Design
How to Break Up the Sea of Green in the Garden

Janice Becker’s garden in Deerfield, Illinois, is an island of horticultural diversity in a neighborhood ruled by turf grass, mature trees, and occasional ground covers. She has created a plant…
Design
The Best of the Best Hostas

STATS Hosta spp. and cvs. USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9 Conditions: Partial to full shade; moist, rich, well-drained soil Propagation: Division in spring or fall Problems: Deer, slugs, snails Who doesn’t…
Design
Salvias That Won’t Let You Down

I’m lucky to live in Chicago—maybe not in February when we’re buried in snow, but in spring, it’s a different story. One of my favorite spots in the city is…
Design
Vines for the Connoisseur

Climbers add a depth and complexity to the garden that just can’t be achieved with perennials and shrubs. The sweeping flow and layered effects vines provide give a landscape a…
Design
Creating a Scene

This designer relied on six strategies to design a garden full of head-turning vignettes
Design
Small Trees That Like Shade

A tiny shady spot in need of year-round structure: This is a scenario that gives even the most seasoned gardener nightmares. But areas like this are in every landscape—whether it’s…

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