One must consider a plant s color, size, shape and structure and how it will harmonize with other plants to give the most peaceful and appealing result. It is also important to choose plants that are appropriate for different containers and for specified spaces in order to achieve a sense of continuity, balance and structure. In other words, each plant should relate to surrounding plants and to the total environment. Also, plantings in larger containers do not dry out as quickly during the warm weather. A drought-resistant garden might have a lawn of decomposed granite rather than grass.
Calexico gravel is preferable to white pebbles which reflect light and are hard on the eyes.
The softer earth tones of Calexico gravel complement plantings and do not detract from the surrounding plants. A designer s knowledge of disease and insects can, in itself, be worth his or her design fee. For example, certain varieties of geraniums are subject to disease, worms and insects which can eventually affect surrounding plants. A designer can avoid plants which develop and carry rust, aphids, scale, mealy bugs, etc., thus eliminating the need to spray toxic chemicals in the yard. When planning a backyard landscape without a landscape designer, a minimal requirement is a rough plan or sketch of the whole property.