Small plants and ground cover: the tapestry effect

Lower plants help frame a foreground. To blend in this woodsy, natural-looking setting, I chose a low-spreading Japanese yew, seen in the lower right-hand corner of the photo. It’s an evergreen that produces striking red berries in the fall. As the yew matures, its branches will hang over the water and help integrate the rocks into the landscape. It makes no sense to just plunk rocks in there — they need to be nestled into the environment.

Across the stream, a yellowy red deciduous plant, called a burning bush, works with ornamental grasses to help frame the view without blocking it. The combination of colors and textures provides visual interest, and it’s all appropriately scaled to the setting.