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Oregon Convention Center
February 17 - 19, 2012
2012 Yard, Garden & Patio Show
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theme to the areas you hang out and
entertain in: Put potted plants on tables
and hang asparagus ferns on your deck.
Just make sure to transition them back
inside once fall arrives.”
Palmer has had a rex begonia for eight
years, and every summer “it migrates
outside into my shade garden, providing
a beautiful pop of color.”
To bring it all together, she suggests
gardeners should think of the big picture.
“Think about the end objective when
developing a garden with exotic flair,”
she says. Consider which plants have the
same needs for sunlight and water, and
think about juxtaposition and layers.
“Keep in mind all of the different
aspects of your garden space so every-
thing doesn’t appear flat: Think about the
taller trees, the shrubs, the flowers and
grasses and groundcovers so you have
layers no matter what your style is. Think
about color, size, shape and texture, not
only of foliage but of the entire plant.”
It’s also important to be realistic about
how much work you can put into your
garden, and to consider whether the
plants you want fit your lifestyle, Palmer
says. A landscape designer can help
identify plants that are toxic to children
or pets.
“It’s important to be real with yourself,
whether you’re an experienced gardener
or inexperienced,” she says. “If they
want a certain style or look but they need
something more low-maintenance, we
can bring ideas of plants that are more
hardy, or drought tolerant, that evoke the
same feeling.”
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