• MASS IT

No matter what size space you’re planting, you need tons of plants. You may have five or six species of plants and use a few of one and a lot of another. And you need plenty of smaller ground covers—that way your garden will look unified.

• EMBRACE THE LONG VIEW

When you make a small garden larger by emphasizing the distance across it, you create a sense of space. Use a straight path and dramatic focal points at each end to draw the observer’s eye along the path.

• LIGHT IT

Lighting is a huge part of designs. If you can get rid of hot spots the glare of an exposed bulb the lighting looks natural. Also, focus on highlighting features you want to accentuate and letting less important elements recede into darkness.

• SMALLER, THE BETTER

When designing a garden, it is important to maintain a proper balance between elements. For swimming pools, patios, and gardens in general, it is best to err on the smaller side. Make your pool a design feature of your yard, not the dominant element. When looking out into your yard, you want a sense of space, not a yard filled with countless wish-list items for the homeowner to enjoy.

• PLANT A NATIVE BACKDROP

Natives are most likely to survive when they’re first planted, and they’ll thrive in the long run. So, for clients who want a tropical look, we suggest natives in the background, and then I use showier, tropical-style plants in front. In this way, we’re doing as much as possible with the right plants.

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