When sculpting your garden, time and effort must be taken to plan ahead. You may want to ask yourself whether you want a garden speckled with exotic plants or would your prefer to beautify your garden with hardy plants - those that are easily available and affordable, which require minimum maintenance, and which of course will help in emulating your version of a heavenly garden. Paul James, a notable master gardener, suggests some robust plants that may find their home in your garden.

First in line are the deciduous trees, which retain their leaves till winter, prior to which they provide a tremendous spectacle with their autumn burst of coloring. Deciduous trees are often further classified as oak, birch, maple, etc.

James strongly recommends the oak trees. These majestic hardwood trees feature clustered flowers and acorns. Their foliage is their crowing glory, which exhibits different shades of color in the autumn; the white oak, for example, is adorned with red tinted leaves in the fall. Furthermore, the oak trees are highly adaptable to a variety of climates, and are able to withstand the onslaught of pests and diseases.

James points out that the maple is also a good choice. They are especially favored for their ornamental foliage and fall colors.

Amongst the deciduous shrubs, James favors the hydrangeas, the viburnums and the sumacs. These plants may endure a host of conditions, and have the advantage of looking their best for most of year.

The hydrangea is a very hardy shrub. It prefers light shade, and moist, well-drained soil. The hydrangea boasts a glorious assortment of very large flower heads that rest on ridged foliage. Amongst the hydrangea there, too, is a wide selection that vary in color (ranging from blue to red!) and sizes.

The viburnum is an even more resilient plant that parallels the hydrangea in beauty. It is truly a vision to withhold with its vibrantly hued leaves, and white / yellow / pink tubular flowers which are coupled with black / purple / golden berries.

The evergreen conifers may also be a welcome addition to your garden. Once again there are a number of possibilities to choose from - cypresses, firs, junipers, etc. - but the pine seems to have won James' heart. The evergreen trees and shrubs are a good choice in that they are never bare.

James also suggests some reliable perennials for your garden. In particular, ornamental grasses and daylilies are widely adaptable and easy to grow. Ornamental grasses may appear in a variety of sizes and colors - ranging from green to red. The daylily, too, may be obtained in a number of colors - pink, yellow, orange and even shades of brown!

Yet another group of easy to grow plants are the hardy ferns, which James recommends for their easy maintenance and the sense of calm they lend to your garden.

Amongst the annuals, James draws attention to the coleus, a small foliage plant that is an appropriate choice for both a flowerbed and a pot. The coleus grows best in sunny conditions, and is noted for its attractive leaves that appear in different shades of green, red, copper and apricot.

The above list of plants is by no means exhaustive; it simply provides insights into possible versatile landscape plants that may meet the criteria of blending practicality and beauty.

If you like Vegetables....These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory

Also See:

Allergy Free Garden Design, Choosing Color Combo,Desinging with Seasonal Flowers, Design an English Garden, Garden Design Project, Gardening in Small Spaces, Complete Garden Makeover, Napa Garden Design, Favorite Plants for Landscaping, Perk Up a Flower Bed, Natural Garden Design, Using Pathways in a Garden, Design a White Wonder Gardens, Your Own Outdoor Coffee House, Designing to reduce noise, Designer Lanscape ideas, Do it Yourself Lanscape Design, Garden Design Foundations, Keeping Your Garden Size in Check, Gardening With Little Space, Outside the Box Landscape Design, Side Yard Design Ideas, Stone Patio Design, Theme Gardening, Trends in Landscape Design, What to Plant on a Slope, Winning Landscape Design