In Theme Gardens, Less Can Be More

Theme gardeners face a challenge similar to that of an architect commissioned to design a period home. The process begins with research and ends with a creative leap.

A hosta garden may be all about the leaves and greenery, but that makes the how and what all the more important. In fact, some hosta leaves are blue, others combine greens with interesting creams or whites. The pattern that results in a bed is subtle but effective. Prairie gardens build on a color palette as diverse the popular Prairie Smoke and gaudy Coneflowers. Dry weather-lovers, all.

I believe every gardener should try that kind of theme approach once in a while. The pay-off is an expanded repertoire of plants, more discipline in what we choose to cultivate and a sense of accomplishment when it works. All good.