Texture provides the biggest payoff from a design standpoint when used to create contrast. Looking to line a flagstone path, brick wall, or stone stairway?  Start with sinuous foliage close to the ground and build up from there.  The fine-textured foliage of a grass-like Carex (we love ‘Everillo’ EverColor Carex from the Southern Living Plant Collection) softens the hard edges of stone and brickwork, settling hardscapes comfortably into the garden.  To complete the look, soar to new heights with the pillow-soft texture of a hydrangea like the deep red Heart Throb® Hydrangea or bright White Wedding® Hydrangea.

Pantone’s Color of the Year, a cheerful “Illuminating Yellow,” has us looking on the bright side for garden color combinations. Start with golden foliage, like Touch of Gold® Holly, to bring the sunshine. Next, try a row of cheerful golden flowers that can be enjoyed in the landscape, or even arranged as cut flowers. ‘Real Goldcup’ Leucanthemum Realflor® is a sunny Shasta daisy that attracts birds and butterflies. Accent your yellow plantings with a warm complementary color to make their sunny hues pop. It’s a Breeze® Rose or Autumn Starburst® from Encore® Azalea offers flowers in reds or bright corals that will repeat bloom across multiple seasons. 

When planning your landscape, be sure to consider the size of your area, its natural features, hardscape materials, and sun exposure. By choosing plants that add color, texture and fragrance, you’ll make winning combinations every time.

Fragrance and flare are a classy combo that folds seamlessly into any style landscape. Rooted along a walkway or framing a formal entryway, use dramatic foliage and nostalgic aroma to engulf the senses. Add the dreamy fragrance of a gardenia like Fool Proof™ Gardenia to evoke memories of grandma’s garden. Next, combine chartreuse hues like ‘Lemon-Lime’ Nandina with rich jewel tones (try Purple Pixie® Dwarf Weeping Loropetalum or Purple Daydream® Dwarf Loropetalum) for a combination that is decidedly modern. This white-chartreuse-purple trio also performs beautifully in large containers.

Another classic Southern choice for fragrance is a magnolia; the new ‘Stellar Ruby’ Magnolia figo, or banana shrub, offers pinkish to ruby magnolia-like flowers scented like bananas in late spring into summer and early fall.