b'Acenium arboreum schwartzkopf flowerpower Colour is making a big splash in today\'s gardens. According to landscape architect Brett Maclennan, flowering plants are becoming very popular. "Weareseeingpeoplemovingtowardssoftergardensthatare informal but still stylised," he says."They have richer,lusher hedges, and lots of colours and flowering plants mixed with different textures of greenery." To work best, plants should complement the materials and colours of your home and hard landscape. Colour can also define garden spaces or accentuate focal points and architectural features. Here are some plants that work well in Dorothy de Lautour\'s garden: flowering plants Ajuga reptans: This ground-hugging runner sends up spikes of purple flowersthat softly borderthe steppingstonesleadingup to the boardwalk. Aoenium arboreum schwartzkopf: Tallchocolate-bronze stems hold burgundy flowering rosettes that remain stunning year round. Planted in pots, they create focal points in the garden. Clivia miniata: Tubular orange flowering heads are framed by dark greenleavesandprovidea showy displaythat complements the colours ofA great plant for dry shade. the exterior joinery. Pratia puberula: A profusion of starry blue flowers crown this carpet Get this exterior look forming plant that is used to soften the edges ofboardwalk andwith Resene Sonyx t01 thesemi-gloss acrylic:, tinted toto Resene House White complement the blue trim around the windows and doors. and Resene lustacryl Helleborus orientalis: Blooming in winter and early spring, the largesemi-gloss waterborne enamel, tinted to nodding flowers grow above clumps of dark greenleaves.FlowerResene Storm. colours vary from pure white to burgundy red. foliage plants Ferns: Providing texture and a lime-green tone to the colour palette, they fill in under the mature trees1nthe garden. Olive trees: With smooth grey trunks and grey-green foliage, olives blend well with the pale grey of the house. Planted as a screen, they are also positioned in pots to create areas of privacy. Mondo grass: This fine-leafed species forms a dense, soft mat and bears pale purple flowers in summer. It makes a soft edging around the deck and sides of the house and garage. habitat67'