Sometimes we get so caught up with the newest plant trends that we forget about the old tried-and-trues.

So many times we get caught up in making our landscapes stunning that we forget some of the smaller details that add personality and charm. Now that the pool, gazebo and deck are all in place, try turning your attention to the corners of your garden that are often forgotten—the small patio, the entrance to your garden shed, or underneath a huge tree.

We take such care with our homes to create views, don’t we? Spectacular views of the downtown skyline, the vistas outside the living room window, down to the table centerpiece for Easter dinner. Yet, somehow when we venture outside into our gardens, we seem to forget these details—but they’re just as important outside as they are inside. Here are some ideas to whet your appetite, from simple to more grand!

We all love flowers in the garden, but let’s face it: they can be a bit high-maintenance, can’t they?

If you’re starting a new garden or redoing a corner of your existing one, you might want to consider adding some soothing Japanese garden elements. This style of garden is very clean, calm and simple, and looks stunning with more contemporary or mid-century modern homes.

In just a few weeks, it’ll be time to plant some annual color, both in containers and in your planting beds. And, unless you want a crazy-quilt cottage garden featuring every color in the rainbow (and hey, those are good, too!), most people want to choose two colors that will pop. But which two? If you’re ready to step outside the norm, here are some eye-catchers to try:

You don’t have to garden on a tiny balcony or live in a diminutive garden home to use the vertical gardening techniques that are so popular right now. Even gardeners with several acres likely have those tricky spaces that leave us scratching our heads—narrow side yards, spaces between fences and garages, entrances to gardens, and space-challenged courtyards all provide us with challenges that deserve some prior planning.