Jan Patterson's Chicago anything-goes garden, which is home to unusual plants, makes it clear that its designer is a free spirit. Jan has taken a small, shady 25-square-foot plot and divided it into an X shape with planting beds and brick walkways. In the center are a bench and an urn. Her garage is covered with a vine to soften the view. Pots of bright annuals on the stairway add color (figure A) to this welcoming garden. Jan calls her garden "lush chaos," and although the plants are a jumble of different textures, the garden is more planned than it may seem at first glance. Curved raised flowerbeds give the garden an informal, relaxed look and soften the bricks' hard edges. Impatiens are planted among the hosta (figure B), potted plants fill bare spots in the beds, and light-colored boulders or sculptures (figure C) keep the eye traveling. Plants are organized according to color as well as light and water requirements. The brick borders and pathways hold the entire scheme together. The garden is Jan's private meditation space, and she finds it helps her cope with the demands of a busy schedule. Each morning she putters in the garden, pulling weeds and nurturing plants. Tip: - To achieve a similar look, pair lacy texture plants like coleus with strappy-leaved plants such as iris, and mix in furry-textured plants such as lamb's ears (figure D).
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