DESIGN DILEMMAS

WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE: Struck by the unexpected beauty of a plant at the garden center, in a flurry of inspiration, we grab other beautiful companions, purchase them all, and head home full of grand plants and visions but no real plan. Sometimes it works out, and many times it doesn't because designing a garden takes attention to nuts and bolts: the hows, wheres and with-whats. What dilemmas do you face? Flip through the following pages of inspiring photos and get practical solutions to your garden woes. Improve your garden's layout, add function, color it with your personality, and find that perfect fix that boosts your garden from good to better to best. Let's get started!

- Andrew Grossman, Mary Ellen Asmundson

DESIGN DILEMMA:

What should I do with an empty entrance?

The whole experience of walking into your home can be enhanced by the colors, aroma and appeal of a prolific planting. An entrance is guaranteed to garner attention, and a front door is an automatic focal point, so concentrate your efforts here, and don't be shy.

The goal is to lead attention to the door. When you're making decisions about color scheme, plant heights and placement, use your door as a determining factor: If it doesn't enhance the front door, then it doesn't fit your design.

The key is to remember that this is precious real estate-not just a place to make an impression, but a space to garden. So let's look at how to pack in a variety of plants you love while still making an eye-catching, welcoming and well-considered entrance.

DEAL WITH PROPORTIONS

This two-story home doesn't sit very far from the street. Tall, lush plantings hide just enough of the house to give the illusion that it sits farther back on the lot. Site tall plants in a spot that softens a harsh line or emphasizes a feature, such as in line with the corners of the front porch here. Then, working outward, make sure each successive layer is shorter than the one before to help frame the home.

EMPHASIZE AN ENTRANCE

Lining the stairs with container gardens is one way to making an entrance pop. But here, all of the interest is jam-packed into the small front yard. The key to a flower-filled front yard is to taper the plant heights down toward the pathway to keep a clear view of the door. More containers here would just add clutter.

ADD COLOR AND LIVELINESS