FORMAL SHRUBS
Traditional evergreens, such as arborvitae and boxwood, complement a traditional-style home. Prune regularly to create balance and symmetry.
BORDER PLANTS
Tall hedges make a backyard garden feel more intimate. Tier plantings in front to lend visual interest and to ensure something is blooming throughout the growing seasons. For added allure, choose perennials that smell as beautiful as they look, such as continual blooming lilacs and frost-proof gardenias.
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SYMMETRICAL DESIGN
Symmetrical architecture looks beautiful with symmetrical landscape beds and matching borders of blooming plants. Choose blooms in colors that highlight paint colors or trim: Think white geraniums for a border leading to a white house, set off by pots of red salvia framing a red door.
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CLASSICAL PERGOLA DESIGN ELEMENTS
A pergola shades morning sun and lends visual interest to the home’s rear exterior. Classic round pillars complement the home’s stately colonial styling, while metal rails require no maintenance and keep the focus on the garden view.
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FLAGSTONE WALKWAY
Natural bluestone paths lend a sense of permanence and make the newer landscape appear as though it has always been a part of the 75-year-old home.
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OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING
A natural stone fireplace with a tall chimney creates an attractive focal point. A covered firewood rack is as attractive as the fireplace. The patio is made from a bluestone border, with a gravel inset that appears almost like an area rug.
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ACCESSORIZE SEATING AREAS
Include coffee and side tables—these concrete tables can withstand wind and rain. Choose flat-bottomed containers made from fiberglass or other crack-resistant material. Consider citronella geraniums as a natural insect repellent.
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CONSIDER SIGHTLINES
Allow your landscaping to enhance the view from inside your home as well as from outdoor gathering areas. For example, picture sitting at the dining table while enjoying a well-lit, beautiful outdoor water feature. Outside, add a bench to take advantage of the water view.
Disguise less-than-perfect views of a nearby house or other distraction with tall evergreen plantings. Create a new focal point with the addition of a fireplace, firepit, or arbor.
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Lend architectural artistry to the back of a nondescript home by adding pergolas and tiered decks adorned with attractive railings.

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