Create Rhythm Through Repetition

Do you ever wonder how botanical gardens and professionally designed landscapes look so unified, rather than like a hodgepodge? The answer is repetition. When shapes, colors, or textures are repeated, it creates a rhythm that pulls your eye along a border or through an outdoor room. The colorful mixed border (above right) serves as proof positive. Repeated use of 'Sapphire Skies' yucca, magenta 'Fireworks' gomphrena, and orange-red 'David Verity' cigar plant transports you from one end of the planting to the other.