Many issues with our yards begin with the plant choices. We find something that looks good at the nursery, but when we get it home it doesn't look right, its too big, it requires too much work and so on. A lot of landscape hassles can be solved by choosing the right plants in the first place. Its great to go pick a cool plant at the nursery, but if it isn't right for the space, the plant will bring you nothing but trouble.

I love red, lace-leaf Japanese maples. They are a gorgeous small tree that adds color and life to any space. But we have lots of cold, winter winds and Japanese maples are very sensitive to cold and wind. So, if I put a Japanese maple in my yard it wont grow well, it wont look good, and it probably wont live long. So the first step to having a yard you love is to choose the right plants.

First, know your space. Plants are going to do their own thing, so always leave a little buffer space. You should know how big the area is where you are going to put the plant. Many times people put larger plants in smaller spaces, then the plant either encroaches on walkways or it gets pruned all the time. Being mindful of the size will keep things looking neat and tidy without all the pruning.

Second, know how much sun or shade your plants want. Sun loving plants will not do well in the shade. Making sure your plants have as much sun or shade as they need will help them look happier and healthier.

Three, know how cold hardy the plants are. Many nurseries sell a range of cold hardy plants. So not every plant in the nursery will be suitable for every yard in their service area. Putting a plant in your yard that can't survive your winter low temperatures will give you a good chance of losing that plant.

Four, know your maintenance preferences and abilities. Some plants will need different soils, extra pruning, or regular fertilizing. If you don't want to spend lots of time caring for your plants, then be sure to choose lower maintenance plants. Some plants grow in a naturally tight symmetrical form and will give you that formal look without the pruning. You can even find a rose that doesn't require constant pruning and deadheading. You don't have to learn everything about each potential plant, a good nursery will be able to direct you to the type of plants you need and answer any questions about specific plants you may have.

Choosing the right plants for your space will make the difference in how it looks and how you feel about it.

Nature creates the most beautiful scenery. Sometimes the simplest designs can evoke feelings of peace and serenity. The mountains always feel like home and give me pause to the craziness of daily life.

I was talking to a client about ornamental grasses this week. It always surprises me how little people use ornamental grasses. They provide something to look at year round, many are low water, they have beautiful seed heads, some change colors with the seasons, deer wont eat most of them (which is kind of too bad, since that would only make maintenance easier), and the only maintenance they require is to be cut down before they start to grow in spring. So here are three lovely, hardy, easy-grow ornamental grasses. Thanks to the Conservation Garden Park for all the wonderful pictures.

Bouteloua gracilis - Blue Grama Grass - Utah Native
This diverse little grass only gets about 24" tall. Its great for borders around beds and natural areas. It will naturalize, so plant is some where you can control it, or put it in a natural area where it can go wild. A pre-ermergent herbicide will help the seeds from sprouting. You can also use this beauty as a low-water lawn substitute and mow it like you would a Kentucky Blue Grass lawn. The seed heads will turn purple in fall.

Miscanthus sinensis 'Gracillimus' - Maiden Grass
This beauty can get up to seven feet tall. But you can cut it back farther in the spring if you want it to stay a little shorter. The red seed heads are later to bloom in the year than other grasses, but dry to wonderful tan plumes for winter. Its a great, year-round interest grass and is known for its reliability. The Miscanthus are a little less cold hardy, so keep this guy in town and away from the cabin.

Erianthus ravennae - Hardy Pampas or Ravenna Grass
This giant among ornamental grasses can grow up to 12 feet tall. The grass portion through summer is pretty and large enough on its own, but watch out for when the seed plumes start to grow because this kid knows how to put on a show. It is known for its large seed plumes. The plumes are also great in dried flower arrangements. This grass will also self-sow, so make sure to remove the seedlings or plant it in an area that it can naturalize.

Often I hear the comment, "Oh, I don't have time for a nice landscape like that." We settle for lawn and a couple of trees because we've been taught that bushes and flowers are too much work. Maybe you have tried planter beds in your yard and felt that they were too much work.

Yards can be overwhelming, it doesn't matter if they are bare dirt, lawn, or lots of pretty plants. A good design, a proper maintenance system, and the right plants can take the work out of "yard work". And there is more, a well designed yard can give you a comfortable and inviting outdoor space. For a little money each year, you can develop your own secret garden or special hide away. A yard should be more than just the empty space around your house.

The trick to not getting overwhelmed is to start small, whether it is getting a design, seeking some advice, or just adding a few shrubs in a bed, everything doesn't have to be done at once. Maybe its just changing your maintenance system and utilizing mulch, regular chemical and mechanical weed control, and pre-emergent herbicides. The first year can often take extra work while you get control of the weeds, that tangle vine will try to take over. But it will be worth it, after all, you deserve nice things.

There is nothing like a wet spring to bring water levels up and make the natives grasses green. Usually things are so dry that that we don't see true green colors very far into summer. This year we were surprised to see Leprechaun green grasses on the hillside. We may have had a rainy trip, and the fish didn't like our offerings, but the scenery was great. Can't complain when this is your view from the side of the highway. We took a little ride in the mountains, the wildflowers are always so beautiful. It always amazes me how tough the plants are, they grow and bloom in some dry and rocky areas. There is no such thing as too much time in the mountains.