Suncatcher Traditional Landscape

1. Colorful slope. Sloped gardens can be tricky to plant, sloped driveways even more so. Decrease runoff and soil-shifting from beds to the driveway by running a low rock wall a few feet back from the driveway down its length. This sloped planting in Oregon proves just how stunning a driveway strip can be. Layers of foliage — including burgundy Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), silver lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina), wispy Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) and chartreuse spurge (Euphorbia characias) — and cool-toned blooms, such as globe allium and catmint (Nepeta sp.), create a tapestry of color. Bonus: The planting is pollinator-friendly and deer-resistant.

2. Tame tall plants. The tall grasses and shrubs that border yards or surround houses can be “prime tick resting areas,” O’Bell says. She suggests keeping the plants short or removing them altogether. If you love your naturalistic planting, consider a wide bark or gravel barrier between it and your favorite backyard gathering areas.

mass of varied foliage for privacy

layers of the plants, and the color mix