10 Ways to Transform Your Outdoor Space

Echoing the same shapes and colors within a landscape gives it a cohesive look. In a formal design, plants are balanced symmetrically; both sides of planted areas are mirror images. In an informal design, balance can be achieved by giving both sides of a garden equal interest and by repeating forms and color values. Here, the arching foliage and yellow trumpets of the daylilies and the soft blue spires of the catmint combine for a dynamic pairing; using the same mix to flank both sides of the walk gives them equal weight and creates harmony. Their flowing forms also provide a nice counterbalance to the pairs of stiffly clipped evergreens that mark transitions along the path. All the repetition establishes a rhythm and unifies the garden’s design.