Gardening is all about having a good time for Eve Thyrum. She likes cutting the grass, enjoys mulching the beds, and even gets a kick out of weeding and watering. "I find that it's all fun, because there's always a goal, and I like goals," she says. "And you can't beat the exercise. It keeps you nice and limber."

From the looks of her Wilmington, Delaware, garden, no one has been more limber since the days of Harry Houdini. Roughly 2 acres in size, it consists of numerous island beds connected by grass and stone paths. Many of the beds have themes. You'll find a knot garden, cactus and succulent garden, and pond garden.

So many different plants could make for a hodgepodge. Fortunately, both Eve and her husband, Per, inherited artistic sensibilities from their parents. Over the years, the two have created a unique and very personal garden that pleases your eye, stimulates your brain, and brings a smile to your face.

Out With the Orchard

If you think this garden rocks, it's because of Eve's husband, Per. He puts rocks everywhere, even in trees.

Echoes of Color
Tying it all together takes an eye for composition. A nifty technique Eve uses is called "color echo." This occurs when you assemble a group of plants containing a common color. Though varied in size, texture, and type, these plants have harmony and visual flow.

above, left: (front to back) 'Velvet Night' American alum root (Heuchera americana 'Velvet Night'), red-veined dock (Rumex sanguineus sanguineus), 'Husker Red' smooth penstemon (Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'), and flowering giant allium (Allium giganteum); above, center: The blooms of 'Carol Mackie' daphne really stand out against a backdrop of 'Fashion' azaleas. 'Spessart' geraniums add flowers and foliage.; above, right: An example of color echo in Eve's garden is yellow tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa 'Tria') with 'Zebra' sweet iris (Iris pallida 'Zebra').

To add intensity to her plantings, Eve also pairs contrasting colors. "I love mixing yellows with maroons or oranges with blue or chartreuse," she says. "But be careful when using purple and maroon," she warns, "because if you overdo it, your garden will turn into a black hole." Foliage provides easier and longer lasting color than flowers, she notes. Proof of this abounds throughout the garden in the burgundy and chartreuse Japanese maples, gold-striped iris, blue- and yellow-needled conifers, gilded hostas, purple-leaved American alum root, and much more.