Never calculated in a properties livable square footage is the very tangible living outdoor  space of a garden when it gives off an intangible grounding to natures trees, plants, animals, insects and birds. One can invest in a house for its bricks, mortar and beauty but the real spiritual value is in the outdoor living space that can be as functional and artistic as your imagination and investment allows.

To most, making great plant combinations is one of the most thrilling aspects of gardening. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of hearing the "oohs" and "aahs" of friends when they spot one of your most successful plantings. There are of course classic plant combinations that almost never fail, like roses and clematis (providing the bloom at the same time) But we need not stick strictly  to classic combinations. As long as we first meet a plant's cultural needs, we can mix and match as we choose.

Water falls and ponds hold attract and hold us mesmerized with qualities of bright and refreshing calmness. And they can be as diversified or as simple as you like.

When we create plantings, we call on our artistic skills. We can be studied or flamboyant - paying close attention to foliage details or mixing flower colors with abandon. And like any art form, what works and what doesn't is often a matter of personal taste. But whether we're trying to make a bold, colorful statement or create a simple, serene setting, there are, fortunately, some basic rules of composition to guide us along the way. By understanding these principles, we can improve our garden design skills and gain enough confidence to know when to break the rules.