n style="">Many times we get home with a great plant and then try to find a spot for that plant. This can, and often does, result in a disorganized look to the garden. Before you buy that wonderful variegated hosta or that brilliant yellow sedum, think about where it will go in the yard.

I always suggest having a master plan for your yard, and then, as you buy plants, you'll know where they're going. This year, I lost about 10 significant plants of the hundreds in the garden. This is an opportunity to try new varieties and experiment with different colors and textures.

Today I got a wonderful sedum called ‘Angelina’. This sedum is bright yellow, but I knew before I got home that it was going to replace a prickly pear cactus that died last year. Don’t make the mistake of buying plants just because they look great. Have a plan. Your yard will look much better in the long run.