When the firepit is not in use, fill it with pots of colorful plants as an accent. Also, before planting, spot out the plants around the landscape until satisfied with their placement; then, once you've found an arrangement that works for you, plant them.

Princess lilies(TM) (Alstroemeria X Straprisara), a mounded variety that makes an excellent cut flower, in a peachy orange shade that will play off the colors of the fire.

Golden euonymous (Euonymous Japonicus 'Aureo Marginatus'), bright foliage with small clusters of yellow flowers.

Crown of Bohemia hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis 'Crown of Hibiscus'), which has large, eye-popping apricot-colored blooms.

Mediterranean fan palm (Chamaerops Humilis), a slow-growing palm that won't overpower its place by the entrance to the firepit.

Dwarf bottlebrush (Callistemon Citrinus), which has red plumes of bloom that make their way down to the ends of the branches, resembling brushes. The high focal point of the bloom makes a nice accent.

Camarillo fiesta bougainvillea (Bougainvillea 'Monle'), which has a bright red-orange bloom trained to an upright form using bamboo stakes.

Tropicana canna (Canna Indica 'Phaison' ), has bright-orange blooms with speckled throats. The vibrant red-green foliage has a fiery appearance, and when the light hits the leaves just right, they have an almost translucent quality.

Now that the plants are in place, add cushions to the benches, light the fire and break out the marshmallows.