Landscaping 101 Form & Texture

Pick Geraniums with a textured, "fuzzy" leaf.  They blend in with the other plants better.  The geraniums with shiny leaves look a little strange to me.  This one is apple scented.

Grasses have a definate form.  They are a contrast to most plants and look great mixed in.   Pick ones you like, you can group them or plant them alone but make sure you have enough for impact.  

I cut down some trees but left the stumps - mainly for support on the steep hillside hoping the roots would hold the dirt in place - but i've found that as they age they are providing beautiful texture as the plants grow around them.

Here is yet another Geranium.  It rounds out my collection as it is so different;  the leaves are very small and compact.  below, I put river rock beneath the Euphorbia for more texture.

i use toys as art.  i found some old fashioned metal trucks and i "let" my son leave them out in the yard.  when he's not looking i arrange them just so.  they add color and look like antiques! 

if you want to know more about landscaping with ornamental grasses there are two really inspiring books:  The Color Encyclopedia of Ornamental Grasses and Grasses and Bamboos.  if you want more ideas for flowers and shrubs get The Complete Encyclopedia of Garden Flowers or FLORA.  i'm in it for the pictures and these have tons.  if it's trees your are interested in then i have a friend, Lisa who is an arborist.  her website is www.helpmytrees.com.  another great resource is a nursery called The Outdoor Room in the Palisades.  the owner and i attended the UCLA Landscape Architecture program together.  she has amazing taste and they will get on the computer and help you find any plant you want.  

ps in the second to last shot that's Rufus rolling around in the grass.  he loves the yard.