Pretty Plant Groupings

The three main design "attributes" of plants that designers consider when designing for any landscape are:

• Color
• Form
• Texture

After considering those plant characteristics, other attributes that must be considered include:

• Light requirements
• Maintenance requirements
• Water requirements

The combination shown, right, is a good example of all six elements or attributes working together.  This little grouping is in a landscape bed at one of my client's houses.  They are clustered around an interesting rock, which we used as a garden ornament.

All of the plants have relatively low water requirements, and share similar mainteance and sun requirements.  That makes them a good match for each other, in terms of care.

From a design standpoint, their colors, forms and textures compliment each other, as well.  The pink flowers are taller, and rise above the more mound-shaped ground covers.  You can see through the thin, leafless flower stems to the other plants.  The pink, burgundy, and chartreuse colors are fun contrasting colors that really jump out at the eye. The textures are also contrasting.  The solid pink flowers contrast with the more delicate foliage of the ground covers.

This small grouping makes a big splash in the garden, because it uses color, form and texture to create contrast.