The Demo Site

“Fine Gardening,” for its July issue, invited my wife and business partner Melissa McDonald to write about her favorite focal-point plants for the southwestern landscape. “These kinds of plants help 'ground' garden beds while simultaneously attracting lots attention," she told me. I like to think of them as the necktie of a stylish suit or the jewelry that goes perfectly with an evening gown. But that’s not all: sometimes these special plants are even more essential than such accoutrements—as important as a melody might be to a symphony. According to the lead designer at Santa Fe Permaculture, “it’s important not to choose focal-point plants if they have a short blooming period or possess a typical branching structure. Avoid tall trees, but expect that most of your focal-point plants are among the tallest in their immediate vicinity.” Focal points also fail if they get hidden or by other plants or if they clamber on top of other plants. Combinations of bright color and striking texture reign supreme because in the end such plant material should dazzle, excite, and inspire like great poetry and when they are at their best these plants become something akin to high art.

With the horrible news out of Haiti, I must say it was nice to be forced to hear Melissa pontificate about the structure of beauty. Stay tuned for more as her article develops.