Middle Ground: Using Plants as Tools
At R&R, we’re always chasing that sweet spot where beautiful meets practical. Sure, plants are pretty, but they’re also incredibly useful when it comes to shaping and enhancing your outdoor space.
Here are a few ways we use plants as purposeful design elements:
Define Pathways
Low-growing, evergreen hedges like boxwoods or dwarf yaupon holly help visually guide guests from space to space. Bonus: they look sharp year-round.
Create Privacy and Shade
Fast-growing trees like magnolias, Carolina cherry laurels, or even multi-layered planting beds can create instant coziness, shield you from the neighbors, and cool things down during the hot months.
Frame the View
Strategic plantings help draw attention to focal points like water features, fire pits, or sculptures. Ornamental grasses, blooming shrubs, and container gardens are our go-to framing devices.
Soften the Hard Stuff
Have a bold stone wall or patio? Add softness with trailing vines, mounded perennials, or low groundcovers that spill gently over the edges. The contrast makes everything pop.
Purposeful planting makes your outdoor space feel intuitive, comfortable, and connected. It’s what turns a yard into a haven.
