Accidental Tourist – Planting Design, Landscape Design

Remember the Sesame Street song – “One of these things is not like the other, One of these things just doesn’t belong…… “  Ever find yourself singing this song as you watch the tourist in front of you at the check out stand?  It’s all a matter of context.  If you were in Europe, buying groceries at the market, someone behind you would be singing the Sesame Street song about you – albeit in French or German.

The same thing is true with plants.  It’s all a matter of context.  In fact, contrary to popular opinion, there are no bad plants.  There are, however, bad locations for plants.  Put a cactus in a tropical zone – Nope.  Put a shade plant in the direct sun – No way.  And yet, it happens all the time.  People choose plants because they are attractive, have pretty flowers, or, nice leaves.  Then, they scratch their head when the plant doesn’t live, or worse, it lives but just barely.

When you see a beautifully combined group of plants with colors that compliment each other, textures that contrast and cause you to take a longer look and give you a distinct sense of place, thank a landscaper.  If you know how to do this yourself, you are either gifted, have worked very hard, or, probably a little of both.

Purple Cow Landscaping