The bright days of summer bring out the best in flower gardens.
Hardscape and softscape elements complement each other in this sunny bed.
Stone columns define the edges of a slimgardenbed.
A woodfenceprovides the flowerbed with a bright backdrop.
Planted at regular intervals,ravenna grassoffers wispy foliage.
Large patches ofShasta daisyaccent thecolorof hardscape elements such as a fence.
Purple asters lend pops of color to the space.
Gorgeous Garden Bed
Foliage and trees fill a gently sloped site.
Many trees do best under the warmth of full sun.
Curves in this sunnygarden bedsoften the squares and angles of the house behind it.
Lavenderand black-eyed Susans provide pops of color in the garden bed.
A Tower of Plants
Tall flowers play upcolorand foliage.
An open spot in a lawn provides a good place for tall, sun-loving flowers.
Most ornamental grasses love full sun.
A bonus: They offer structure during winter months.
If plants need day-to-day maintenance, such asdayliliesthat require deadheading, put them in front to enable easier access.
Many flowerbeds include plants that gradually transition from short to tall, but this flowerbed offers dramatic height throughout.
Dahlias and lilies supply bright pops of hot color.
Sun Lovers
A lovely collection of plants adds beauty to a yard.
Place plants withcontrasting colorshot purples and pinks versus pastel orangesin separate areas of agarden.
To draw winged visitors, offer amoving source of water,such as this pretty birdbath.
Patches of annuals, such as petunias, fill in empty spots in a mostly perennial bed.
Strategically placed stretches of boxwood break up large expanses of flowers.
Bend in the Bed
A rippling flowerbed dresses up agarden.
Undulating curves create a gentle edge to both the border and the beds in this garden.
In place of a hardscape material, astretch of lawnserves as walkway.
A castor bean adds vertical height to the flowerbed.
Repeating plants, includingdelphiniumand phlox, supply visual consistency.
Annuals such as snapdragonsadd welcome bursts of bright color.
Pretty in Pastel
A casualcottage gardendistinguishes itself with a loose collection of plants.
Tall flowering shrubs, such as butterfly bush, supply vertical interest anddraw wildlife, too.
Herbsare good additions to sunny gardens; they work well planted in-ground or in containers.
Clusters of pastel plants, including zinnias, coneflower, andcosmos, provide color without being overwhelming.
Spectacular Blossoms
Purples and yellowssupply a flowerbed with subdued color.
Narrow beds are accessible from both sides, making them easy to maintain.
Mounding plants maintain a view of the rest of thegarden.
The foliage of bearded iris offers vertical visual interest to the garden.
Right Angles
Geometry supplies beauty in this stately garden.
A series of squares and rectangles lends calming visual interest.
A long metalbenchprovides a spot to enjoy shrubs and trees.
Site tall trees and shrubs to shield house facades from view.
Showy flowers dress up most sun-loving gardens; this one relies on elegant compositions ofshrubsto define interior spaces.
Better Blooms
A show-stopping collection of sun-loving plants suppliesfront yardbrilliance.
A parking strip is the perfect place to include flowers.
Give a garden bed presence with anedging materialthat provides vertical support.
Nearly hidden by showy foliage, lower-height stucco walls offer terraces for plants.
Pops of color brighten the ivy-covered front facade of this house.
Bountiful Border
Blooms brighten a slim space between sidewalk and fence.
A sunny spot is a good spot for atrellisplanted with aclimbing rose.
Matching containers planted with bright annuals flank a home’s walkway.
Chosen for their height, flowering plants don’t obscure the fence.
Lights cling close to the ground, supplying security and highlighting flowers.
