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Textured Plants: A pleasing mix for perfect plantscaping makeover

A landscape designing focuses on three elements namely texture, form and color. Leaves are there for seasons as flowers serve for a few weeks. Therefore, it is important to get right foliage in garden design so that it neither looks fussy nor heavy. The plants are selected on the basis of space. For perfect plantscaping makeover, colors are incorporated into design with the use of variegated leaves or blooming plants.

In general, there are three main categories of plant texture namely fine, medium and broad. The plants with too much fine foliage in garden can result in fussy looks and broad foliage makes the garden heavy. The basic aim should be a pleasing mix of the three textures in each area of the bed.

The foliage with a fine or softer texture can be defined with small leaves such as Russian Sage, Thyme, Ficus Benjamina and California Ivies, Lavender, Coreopsis, Gaura, Ferns and Asters. The softer or finer textured plants complement a traditional or classic look.

The plants with medium texture have more substantial foliage. The plants such as Heucheras, Perennial Geraniums, Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Peonies, Dahlias, Campanula, Oriental Poppies, etc are included in this category of medium textured plants.

The contemporary looks require a harder or broader texture foliage i.e. large leaf. The plants such as Succulents, Dracaena Marginata, Hostas, Cannas, Colocasia, Petasites and Castor Beans can be a good choice for this category.

A well designed garden is a pleasing mix of the three textures contrasting foliages together. Hostas for instance, are mounded shape with broad or large foliage that suite well with fine or softer Lacy Ferns which are vase shaped and upright. The combination of Hostas with fountain shaped plants gives awesome look.

The plants come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For a good basic design, contrasting of shapes is as important as a leaf texture. It is necessary to study plants and arrange them for a good contrast in texture and shape.

About the Author

Robert William is author of Foliage Group.For more information about Interior Landscape Design visit http://www.foliagegroup.com/

I got some bulbs of daffodils already blooming. When do I plant them? I live in Canada?

We have had more snow, but not alot. Most of our snow is melting.

plant bulbs in the early fall, some tips:

Select a sunny planting location.
Prepare the soil, if necessary, by incorporating ample organic matter. Soil preparation is not always necessary if drainage is good. Dig holes 3 to 6 inches deep. Plant larger bulbs at the deeper end of the range. Leave 2 to 4 inches between bulbs. Add bulb fertilizer to the bottom of the hole, and roughly mix it into the soil. Place the daffodil bulb in the hole, pointed side up, root side down. The bottom of the bulb should rest firmly on the bottom of the hole. Water the bulbs thoroughly

Larsen Spring Blooming Plants