Smart Swaps, Better Pairings & A Focal Point Fix
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been gardening—there’s always something new to learn. A clever design trick here, a better plant combo there... and don’t even get me started on the mistakes that turn into “aha!” moments (like realizing you just planted something invasive). This month, we’re leaning into the learning with smart tips from pro designers, lessons from famous gardens, better plant pairings, and ideas that’ll have you looking at your own space with fresh eyes.
10 Lessons from Famous Gardens
Public gardens aren’t just pretty, they’re full of genius takeaways for home gardeners. From using tall plants to create immersive paths to rethinking color, texture, and even fragrance, these 10 lessons from iconic gardens like Chanticleer, Lotusland, and Monticello will spark fresh ideas for your space. Pictured: New York Botanical Garden's Seasonal Walk, photo by Rob Cardillo.
Invasive Plants 101: What to Grow Instead
Some plants are more trouble than they’re worth: crowding out natives, spreading like wildfire, and upsetting local ecosystems. But here’s the good news: for every invasive plant, there are smarter alternatives. Learn how to spot the worst offenders and discover eco-friendly swaps. Pictured: A good alternative for Scotch broom (left) is forsythia (right).
10 Essential Elements & Principles of Garden Design
Want to design like the pros? The fundamentals of line, form, color, texture, and more are the building blocks of every great garden. Learn how to use them together to create harmony, highlight focal points, and bring out your garden’s best features. Mastering even one or two can completely transform your space! Pictured: The winding pathways of the Bellevue Botanical Garden create a sense of mystery and beckon the visitor to explore what lies beyond. Photo by: Rebecca Sweet.
10 Companions for Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses can be a great addition to your garden, but it can be a challenge to figure out what to pair them with. This list of 10 companions will help you pick a perfect pairing. Plus, many ornamental grasses are native to North America, which is a win-win! Photo by: Proven Winners.
If you love hummingbirds (who doesn’t?), this plant is a must! Vermillionaire cuphea pumps out vibrant orange blooms with red and yellow highlights from planting until frost, and the hummingbirds can’t resist. I have one in my own garden, and I love watching them go from flower to flower.
Heat and drought tolerant, this easy-care annual thrives in full sun and keeps its tidy, mounded shape without deadheading. Perfect in borders or containers, it’s perennial in warmer zones (8 and up) but treated as an annual in colder areas. See more on Vermillionaire in this short video. Pictures by Proven Winners.
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About the Author
Burnell Weaver founded Weavers Landscape Company in Shippensburg, PA and has spent nearly three decades designing and building outdoor living spaces across central Pennsylvania. Every article in our Knowledge Center draws on hands-on experience from real residential projects, from patios and plantings to full backyard transformations.
