While bedding plants are primarily chosen as color elements in the garden, it is worthwhile remembering that they possess other characteristics that inevitably affect, positively or negatively, the overall nature of the design. One cannot ignore their foliage texture and color, or their size, shape and form.

Bedding plants are rarely grown in isolation from other plant types, but rather, in association with them, such as in the foreground to shrubs, bushes and trees. If the latter are so chosen as to form a definite and clear motif, then the bedding plants ought to complement them in stylistic terms.

Junipers are one such important plant type that if planted in groups create a definite mood in the garden. How then can one choose bedding plants, whether annuals or herbaceous perennials, so that they strengthen the composition established by the Junipers and not detract from it?

Junipers, as conifers belonging to the cypress family, establish a clear Mediterranean feel to the garden. The bedding plants that associate with them most effectively are those that possess small flowers and leaves that are narrow and often or not pale green or bluish-grey in color. Many plants belonging to the daisy family (Asteraceae) fit the bill perfectly. Examples include, Gazania, Arctotis, Santolina, Osteospermum and Asteriscus. Ice plants such as Lampranthus or Drosanthemum, if planted on mass as ground covers, can create a stunning combination with different varieties of Juniper.

A bed of herbs, planted close to, and in visual contact with a group of Junipers is a feature worth considering. Most herbs; oregano, thyme, sage etc, are of Mediterranean origin and so go together splendidly. Herbaceous plants of contrasting foliage color are a further possibility, providing the leaf size and texture is reasonably fine. The purple-leaved varieties of Joyweed (Alternanthera) for instance, contrast spectacularly with the glaucous foliage of many Junipers.

Designing with plants is very much a case of knowing what not to include in the garden composition. Just as palm trees look totally incongruous with junipers, so do bedding plants of tropical origin appear out of place. Plants like Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) or Canna, spectacular as they may be, simply do not go with them. Roses from my experience do not sit comfortably near Junipers either, but can be acceptable in visual contact with them, if planted in a separate bed. I also have my doubts about the suitability of planting ornamental grasses with junipers, although this may simply be a matter of personal taste on my part.

My name is Jonathan Ya’akobi.

I’ve been gardening in a professional capacity since 1984. I am the former head gardener of the Jerusalem Botanical Garden, but now concentrate on building gardens for private home owners. I also teach horticulture to students on training courses. I’d love to help you get the very best from your garden, so you’re welcome to visit me on http://www.dryclimategardening.com or contact me at jonathan@dryclimategardening.com

My Links : BabyForMom.com

If you’re looking for a beautiful, old world garden style, then you should look into designing a Tuscan garden design. There are several different things that you can do with a Tuscan garden design, but there are a few things that you should keep in mind if you’re planning on a Tuscan garden design. First of all, if you’re aiming for a Tuscan garden design, then you’ll definitely want to aim for a Mediterranean feel.

This is easy to do if you’re planning to design your own garden, and there are just a few important tips that you should try to follow if you want a Tuscan garden design. One thing that is very helpful is if you can design or add a wall fountain to the garden. The wall fountain (as opposed to a free-standing fountain) adds an air of older elegance, and definitely gives the impression that you’re in a Mediterranean garden.

Iron wrought benches can also help you achieve a Tuscan garden design, as well as a lot of terra cotta planters. In fact, one of the cheapest and easiest ways to get a Tuscan garden design is to use terra cotta plant containers instead of containers made out of other materials. If the shape is like older vases, then that is even better.

Garden design landscaping can also go a long way toward helping you make a Tuscan garden design. One important thing to remember is that a lot of Tuscan gardens have flagstone pathways leading in between patches of different flowers. If at all possible, you should try to design your garden so that you can put in pathways.

The final, and most important part of any Tuscan garden design is that you use the right types of plants. By using plants, herbs and flowers that grow primarily in the Mediterranean, you can make your garden appear to be a real Tuscan garden.

Hans is author of the Garden Design section of http://www.gardening-guides.com

One of the most challenging tasks for any homeowner is finding those perfect plants for the shade garden or north side of the house. Whenever teaching home landscape design classes I am always bombarded with requests to suggest a few plants that are not only attractive but will flourish in shady areas and woodland sites.

Here come those fabulous Brunnera to the rescue. They tend to form 12 inch to 18 inch high mounds that are 18 inches 24 inches wide with baby blue to lavender forget-me-not type flowers occurring in late spring to early summer and lasting up to four weeks. They typically have heart shaped shaped leaves, some with yellow margins, some with silver spots and still others with silverfish overlays. They all have one thing in common, they are attractive not only when blooming but all season long. They are capable of making a statement as an accent plant or as a solid groundcover, and best of all they handle a lot of shade. I have grown them under our Jack Pines and along the north side of our foundation with equal success. Best of all the leaves hold well into the late fall. We have a Jack Frost Brunnera against our foundation that still exhibited gorgeous foliage two weeks after the leaves from the adjacent hostas had frozen back for the year.

Brunnera tend to be very forgiving and are generally rated for zones 3 - 8. They will not tolerate too much sun or heat, however, so protect them. These plants prefer soils that have good drainage. One of the things that I always recommend with most plantings is what I refer to as a $100 hole for a $10 plant. By this I mean that the best time to influence the health and long term vigor of a plant is at the time of planting. A good rule of thumb is to dig your planting hole at least twice as wide as the plant rootball itself, and preferably three times as wide. I always then backfill around the plant with a mix of 1/3 native soil, 1/3 good quality screened topsoil, and 1/3 organic matter such as sphagnum peat moss. I employ this same procedure with the Brunnera I plant.

Following are four of my favorite Brunnera varieities:

1. Brunnera macrophylla ‘Hadspen Cream’ has heart shaped shaped leaves with green centers flanked by irregular yellow margins. It is absolutely beautiful and brightens the foggiest, shadiest day.
2. .Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ is one that I have specified for several years as a groundcover par excellence. It has strong green leaf veins and a wonderful silverfish overlay. Get ready for the compliments from your guests.
3. Brunnera macrophylla ‘Langtrees’ has numerous irregular white to silver spots between the veins on the outer half of the leaves.
4. Brunnera macrophylla ‘Looking Glass’ has heart shaped leaves that cup downward and are a rather solid silver in color. I have ordered 25 for my own gardens for this coming spring.

All of the Brunnera mix well with other shade tolerant plants. I always like to see them planted in clusters of 3, 5, 7 and so forth. Many times I will specify the Jack Frost massed in front of Krossa Regal or Blue Angel Hostas. The size and color contrast makes for a striking bed. Dress the bed up with some Lamium maculatum ‘Purple Dragon’ or ‘Pink Pewter’ creeping in front for an added treat.

Brunnera are also terrific for setting off a bed of Taunton Yew used as a backdrop. I also like to mix in an occasional Fanal or Etna Astilbe for a splash of red for contrast and to accentuate the unusual foliage of the Brunnera.

Finally, the most breathtaking shade bed I have ever seen was the simplest. It was a mass planting of Jack Frost Brunnera acting as the groundcover beneath three wonderful five stem clump Whitespire birches. There were a few very large character boulders imbedded for additional accent.

Whatever you choose for your shade bed, just don’t overlook those incredible Brunnera. Those challenges and frustrations created by the shade will simply melt away as your success rate soars. Happy landscaping!

Donna Evans is co-owner of Gizmo Creations LLC, a landscape design and website design company located just north of Brainerd, Minnesota. Gizmo Creations designs landscapes for homeowners, commercial buildings and landscape contractors throughout the country. Gizmo Creations has numerous sample plans and photos of landscapes on their website at http://www.gizmocreations.com.