meadow

We can take advantage of the greater environment in our landscapes, but how we play with space can greatly enhance a garden or patio on a human scale. It all depends on how we see a scene and notice dominant two- or three-dimensional forms and the surrounding space that frames them. This phenomenon is known as "figure-ground ambiguity" — you alternately observe the positive figure and then the negative ground as its silhouette. Together, the figure and ground assume a pattern of their own. There are literal ways to express this, such as with a symmetrical, black and white tile pattern. And there are also figurative ways to convey this idea, with an eye-pleasing balance of solid and amorphous elements in the landscape, Here are several great ideas for emphasizing the landscape's positive and negative visual balance.

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arcs in plants frame view, tree

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create a portrait in the backyard

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for pathway

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rain garden

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. Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella this is it! low ground cover, year round flowers, very tolerant and tough

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Southern Swamp Lily (Crinum americanum) bulbs, long flowering season

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Virginia Iris (Iris virginica) plant in wetlands

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Blood Sage (Salvia coccinea)

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Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)

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Prairie Sunflower (Helianthus petiolaris)

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. Aromatic Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)

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purple coneflower

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boneset

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meadow sage (Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’) and fernleaf yarrow (Achillea x ‘Moonshine’)

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