raised garden beds of Garden PlantsChoose vegetables and herbs that your family will enjoy. Think about growing vegetables that do in shade, such as spinach and kale.If you know the botanical names of plants, you can tell them different. Knowing their life cycle will help you plan and care for your garden.Small Ornamental TreesTrees can bring a sense of dimension to your garden and can provide visual interest throughout the year with their colorful spring blooms and autumn foliage, berries or seed pods. They can also provide privacy screening and shade to a patio or entranceway. Ornamental trees can be grown as a focal point on their own or grouping them together to create an encircling grove, or planted as part of a mixed shrub and flower border. Smaller ornamental trees can be purchased already pruned to tree form at nurseries or be purchased bare-root and trained as needed. Many large trees can be pruned to small ornamental tree form too such as viburnums, late lilacs and winged Euonymus.If you have an outdoor garden in an area that is sunny and hot with a well-drained soil the blossoming trees will attract butterflies and other pollinators. Crape myrtle, as an example (Lagerstroemia Indica) is a popular choice in the southern part of the country because of its long blooming period in pinks and violets from summer into autumn. Its leaves change from yellow to red in autumn and it is a beautiful, exfoliating bark in winter. It is hardy from zones 5 to 9.The heptacodium or the seven-sons tree can withstand full sun and produces tiny white flowers in the late summer and early autumn. It's a great solution for adding height to decks that are cramped and is drought tolerant once established. This plant is hardy from USDA zones 5 to 9.In areas with shade, the golden Irish yew (Chamaecyparis tricarpa) can bring shade to the shady areas of the garden, with its blue-green to green leaves. It is slow-growing, takes pruning well and grows easily in full sun or partial shade. The narrow, fastigiate shape of this plant makes it an the perfect choice for planting in tight spots.Flowering VinesThe flowering vines are either annuals that bloom only for one season or perennials that provide colour to the landscape for many years. Some of these plants require an imposing trellis to climb. Others can just sprawl on the ground. Most quickly, they fill the vertical spaces which add beauty and interest to the garden. raised garden beds are available in a wide range of colors and bloom times, with plants for every USDA Hardiness Zone. There are many varieties of climbing vines, from clinging or woody varieties, such as English ivy, to non-woody or herbaceous vines like morning glory and nasturtium.Flowering vines are enhanced by a few types of flowers. The black-eyed Susan vine produces scores of bright orange, yellow or white flowers with dark centers. This fast-growing annual is a good option for a sunny trellis and works well in containers too. It is also a favorite for hanging baskets, where it can be twisted around supports.If you're looking for a more durable alternative to the black-eyed Susan, try the clematis. This perennial is widely available in a variety of colors including pink, yellow and white. Some clematis varieties such as Duchess of Edinburgh and Josephine are characterized by large fragrant flowers that bloom in early spring; other varieties, like Sweet Autumn, bloom throughout the fall and summer.Carolina jessamine is a different evergreen flowering vine. This native of the southern United States makes a beautiful addition to a container or garden with its golden yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. It will reach towering heights when supported properly and isn't cut back. This makes it an ideal plant for screening views, or for an area of shade in the yard.Container PlantsContainer plants add instant color to a garden, without the multi-year commitment of planting in raised beds or in the ground. They can also be used as a focal point at the entrance to a house. They're also a great method to grow flowers, herbs or vegetables at eye level for easy picking and cooking. Containers can be anything including barrels (even half-barrels made of wood) and baskets, buckets containers, window troughs, boxes, and even bath tubs or Urns.Understanding your plants and giving the appropriate amount of attention is key to an effective container garden. The need to water plants in containers more frequently is necessary because they dry out faster than those planted in the ground. Watering in the morning is best because it provides them with enough moisture to last the hotter midday hours and prevents dampness on leaves in the evening that can lead to diseases.Find trailing plants with bright blooms or lively foliage to fill a container garden. Coleus is a great option for pots. It comes in many forms and colors that include dark green and variegated. Geraniums with ivy flowers are a attractive option. It's a classic plant for sunny containers, and it's self-cleaning so it doesn't require deadheading.If you're looking to grow taller potted plant for your outdoor space, consider Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica and Cvs., Zones 6-8). It's stunning pink, red and salmon-pink blooms in spring and summer. This deer-resistant shrub can decorate any space in shade or in the sun. Papyrus also makes a good filler for a large pot and its tufts brightly colored foliage look lovely draping over the sides. Another option is golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia Numularia 'Aurea' Zones 4-8). It's a fantastic trailing plant for sunnier containers, and its yellow coin-shaped leaves blend well when paired with other colors. gardening -Sized TreesThere is room in the garden for flowers that don't grow to heights of a mountain. These beautiful trees add visual interest and form and add all year round interest. Their flowers, colors, and scents can also bring the garden to life. Small trees can be used to fill in the front yard or accent.Crape myrtles, a type of flowering trees are the most well-known. Breeders have developed many colors, from lilac-purple blooms like Muskogee crape myrtle, and the fantastic hot pinks of Strawberry Dazzle crape myrtle, to the deep reds of Dynamite and the elegant white of Natchez crape myrtles. These trees are fast-growing and bloom throughout the summer. They can live up 40 years if they are properly cared for.Another stunning deciduous flowering plant is serviceberry (Melancholia x Lucida). This native tree is adorned with beautiful white flowers in spring, which are followed by delicious dark berries and finely-toothed foliage. It also has red and yellow fall colors and a mild brown winter bark. Serviceberry can be grown in full sun, average soil that is well-drained and drought-resistant once established.If you need a small tree that is evergreen, try the swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor). This fast-growing, disease-free tree grows in wetlands where other trees are not as adaptable. It can even withstand some flooding and is a great option for wet areas where other trees could drown. It will eventually reach 50 to 60 feet in the form of a rounded head. It is a great choice for clay and soils that are wet. Once established, garden plants is drought-tolerant and is resistant to air pollution.Light RequirementsThere are references to "full shade,"" "partial shade," and even "part sun" on plant tags. These terms are often not clearly defined. Plants that require full sun need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun every day. The sun's rays reach their peak between 10 am until 4 pm, which means plants that are full sun should be protected from intense afternoon sun.Some fruiting and veggie vegetables can tolerate light shade, but the majority of them require full sunlight. Leafy greens can also be affected by shade, however they might take longer to mature and produce.Partial sun is an expression used to describe areas of the garden that get between three and six hours of direct sun every day. The rest of the day, these areas are moderately shaded or receive diffused light from the trees and leaves. The east-facing side of your home is the best location for partial shade/partial sun. This will provide shade in the early afternoon and cool morning sun for plants that love sun like azaleas and rhododendrons.Full shade is the term used to describe dark areas that are not exposed to direct sunlight. These areas could be covered with tall evergreens, or overhanging structures or be enclosed gardens and passageways between houses. These are not easy to establish a garden in as a result of the competition for moisture with tree roots and a general lack of light. If you find a flower or vegetable that isn't thriving in this type of shade, move it to a different area and add more water as needed. Reliable shade performers include Astilbe, golden Hakone grass goatsbeard, and a variety of ferns.