One of the easiest ways to add more interest to a garden is by adding plants with different colors, textures, shapes and sizes. Different textured plants can also help create an illusion of space and add "flavor" to any garden design.

Texture is frequently associated with foliage. However, the woody structure of a tree or shrub is also part of the texture. Fine texture is associated with small leaves and thin branches. Coarse texture is achieved with larger leaves and thicker, sparse branches.

Coarse textures are more appropriate for larger landscapes, while fine textures are more appropriate in a smaller landscape. A small area can be made to look larger by using finely textured plants, whereas coarsely textured plants make great accents in larger landscape designs.

Examples of coarse-textured plants would be aralia, hosta, loropetalum, sedum and lamb's ears. Examples of fine-textured plants would be artemisia, breath of heaven, ferns, fine line buckthorn, grevillea and lavender. You can add color to a garden by adding plants such as barberry, heavenly bamboo, heuchera or the new 'Tiger Eyes' sumac, which combines both texture and color.

You can create a greater sense of depth in your garden by placing darker colored, rough textured plants to the front of your planting areas and put light colored, fine textured plants towards the back. Also, remember to keep smaller growing plants in front so they won't be hidden by the taller ones. If you have the space, try to place textured plants in small groupings for extra impact.

Adding textures and elements of interest to your garden will create more visual and sensory experiences for you and your guests. And the more experiences, the more memorable your garden will be. But don't get too carried away. Try to limit yourself to two or three different colors or textures along with green for the perfect effect.

We have many unique plants that will stand out in any garden setting. Our staff of nursery professionals will be happy to show you their favorites and help you find the best choices for your garden.

Is the bearded iris for you? Well, the more you learn about this versatile little bloom, the more you will appreciate its simple splendor. With old-fashioned grace, the bearded iris is available in a host of colors and sizes. Fun to share, easy to grow and care for, it incorporates nicely in sunny landscapes.

Bearded irises range in height from about 8 inches high to 3 feet. The smaller the iris, the earlier in the season it will flower. A small cluster of the dwarf varieties will work nicely in a rock garden. Taller varieties work well as borders or in a sunny corner all by themselves.

The key to growing them is how you plant the odd-looking rhizome. Unlike most other bulbs, only the roots are buried in the soil. Bearded iris are very drought tolerant; they prefer sunny locations where the soil can dry out between watering. Before planting, work your soil well by adding a soil amendment like Gardner & Bloome Harvest Supreme. Add a little bone meal or a bulb food such as Dr. Earth Bulb Food and your plants should thrive and bloom their hearts out for you.

Caring for and sharing your bearded iris is not complex. In late summer, your iris clumps will become crowded and blooms will suffer. Unless you see buds, your center rhizome will probably not bloom a second time; compost it! Lift the entire clump with a garden fork. Cut apart the new younger siblings from the older center rhizome, allow a day or two to dry, and replant as before. Or if you prefer, share with friends and neighbors so you can buy some new colors!

Early fall is the best time to select and plant bearded iris.

Have you ever wished you could enjoy the beauty of hydrangea blooms year-round? I know, there are always silks--right? Actually there's a very simple way to preserve hydrangea blooms so that you can enjoy them in your home at any time of year.

One of the easiest ways to preserve these flowers is to allow them to almost completely dry on the plant. Do not collect them until the flowers have developed a papery feel. As hydrangea flowers age on the plant, they may develop muted tones of blue, purple, rose, violet and green.

Simply cut the blooms at the stem length you desire to fit your vases and place them in water. Strip off all the leaves and then find a cool, dry closet or low-light room. The blooms will still continue to take up water. Check the water level and add more as needed, until the blooms no longer draw any water. Then drain the vase so the stems can dry. Now you can place them in any vase without water for a permanent centerpiece!

Grasshoppers are among the most difficult insect pests to manage in the garden. When numbers are low, they can be hand-picked and squashed. Floating row covers and other protective covers provide some protection if their numbers are not high. However, grasshoppers will eat through cloth or plastic row covers if they are hungry enough.

Most grasshoppers are general feeders, but they prefer young, green plants, especially lettuce, beans, corn, carrots, onions, and some annual flowers. Grasshoppers do their damage by chewing and can remove large sections of leaves and flowers in one sitting, sometimes devouring an entire plant. An odd grasshopper here and there is nothing to be alarmed about, but should you face a full invasion, there are some steps you can take to combat this destructive pest.

The best way to control grasshoppers is to apply a bait containing carbaryl, such as Garden Tech Sevin Dust , around the borders of your garden. Make sure to re-apply baits after any period of rain. For non-edible plants, you can also use a spray like Green Light Spinosad directly on the plants. It usually helps to do a repeat spray every couple of weeks until they leave your garden. Make sure to spray late in the evening or early morning when bee activity is lower; you don't want to kill our important pollinators.