White gardens have a special kind of charm. They feel calm, fresh, and a little bit magical—like a quiet pause in the middle of a busy day. If you’re looking for a simple way to bring some peace and light into your garden, white might be just the thing. THE FIRST WHITE GARDENMany credit Vita Sac...

Few colors have as much presence in the garden as red. It’s the color of passion, love, and adventure—a hue that radiates energy. Even a single red bloom has the power to pull your eye from across the yard, making it a natural choice for drawing people in and leading them through a space. Red on...

When you think of gardens, you probably picture soft pastels, bright greens, and sunny colors. But what if you flipped the script and embraced something darker? Deep purples, shadowy greens, and yes—even black—can bring a striking, dramatic edge to your outdoor space. And black doesn’t just have ...

Pink is often described as the meeting point of red’s passion and white’s purity...a combination that results in a color symbolizing love, nurture, and compassion (as the color experts at Hunter Lab put it). It’s a beautiful reminder that color in a garden can do more than decorate; it can set a ...

When we plan a garden, we often think first about flowers—pink, red, orange, white, blue, purple. But what about green? It’s easy to overlook because it’s everywhere, yet green is the quiet foundation of every garden. And it’s not just in plants—fences, furniture, sculptures, even a painted fount...

Every garden needs a moment. A place where your eyes stop, your shoulders drop, and you feel that spark of yes...this is it. That moment of recognition doesn’t happen by accident…it’s created through the design principle of EMPHASIS. Emphasis gives your garden a focal point—a feature that stand...

About 15 years ago I accepted an amazing position at a local botanic garden. Being in a beautiful place, surrounded by talented staff and volunteers inspired the creation of my theme garden development process. We applied it to the botanic garden displays many times, then I eventually realized it...

Turning a Forgotten Space into a Garden Moment Every home has them…the skinny strips of land that connect front and back. We give our attention to the front yard’s curb appeal and the backyard’s livable space, but the side yard? That’s often where the garbage bins live, weeds grow unchallenged, ...

One of my favorite activities is exploring gardens. Private or public, all gardens inspire our own outdoor spaces in many ways. I encourage you to visit botanic gardens, parks, private garden tours, garden centers and even amusement parks. Rather than being frustrated looking at an empty yard or ...

  Were you ever compelled to walk down a path to see where it led or go through a beautiful gate to see what was on the other side? These are magical tricks to pique your curiosity and coerce you to walk through a garden. A skilled designer can use mystery to lead a visitor through a...