Good garden design is a combination of form, texture and color, but sometimes the color is so intense it's all we can see. A good way to view the basic bones or structure of your garden is to view it in black & white. Most digital cameras will allow you to do this or you can take an existing photo and view it in black & white in a photo editor.
Pay attention to where your eye is drawn.
- Does one element overpower the whole garden?
- Does it look cluttered or messy?
- Is there a good flow, with some variety in height or one long, boring block?
- Do the foliage textures seem to blend into each other or can you make out distinct spikes complemented by feathery foliage and large, bold leaves?
Use your black & white photo to help you edit plants that fade into the background and to rework plant combinations that are too similar in texture or form. Try this at different times during the year to view the changes in your garden.
