my focus

like most people, i have my tastes when it comes to plants and gardens. for starters, i love tropicals. just about anything with big leaves and strange flowers. my gardens overflow with elephant ears and tree ferns, acanthus, agapanthus, and callas. bamboo. split leaf philodendrons. palms. you get the picture.

but this is not my primary driver when it comes to garden design. that would be usefulness. it's easy to pick a pretty plant with a pretty flower. i want more. in my small urban garden every plant has to earn its place. the black bamboo looks lovely but it also provides privacy, a wonderful rustling sound in the breeze, strong, useable canes for building, and even edible young shoots. the loquat isn't just a striking tropical sillouete, it gives shade, is highly tolerant of salty coastal air, and produces sweet fruit. creeping wintergreen keeps down weeds, prevents soil erosion and the leaves can be used to make tea. the honeysuckle hides eyesores, smells amazing, and helps draw birds and bees that help polinate the fruit trees. the passion vine does the same, but adds fruit as well.

sure i still have a few plants that i keep purely for their beauty, but on the whole, i look for more than just a pretty face.