Before getting too excited about landscapes you see in photographs, make sure that those plant materials make sense for your geographic area, or that they even make sense at all. I’m reminded of a magazine spread, where on the back of the toilet, the stylist had placed a lovely bowl of fresh, colorful fruit. It certainly brightened up the photograph, yes, but it doesn’t really belong there, now does it?

No.

Even if it’s fake, why is there food on top of the toilet?

Gross.

Fake or not, fruit is still food, get it off the toilet. Similarly, I will see landscapes in magazines, or on home tours, that feature plants and flowers living right next to each other that are completely nonsensical and unrealistic in real life, due to their differing sun and shade requirements, climate tolerances, etc.

Frequently on these photoshoots and home tours, just like with a party you might throw, the homeowner/stylist is well aware that these things are just to decorate for a special occasion and will surely die shortly thereafter; and I have no problem with that, just so long as we are all aware that what’s been achieved is ephemeral. People bring photo clippings from magazines with them all the time to Covington's (MY FAMILY'S NURSERY) as inspiration for what they want to achieve in their own yards. And we have to break the news to them that the plants they see in that picture don't belong there, they are the plant equivalents of toilet fruit.

So, before you go trying to copy something you’ve seen in a magazine (or start decorating your toilet with fruit) you need to sit down and research whether or not the plants you see and enjoy in that photo actually make sense for your yard, or for any yard at all. Honestly, I can't envision a single scenario where I sat and ate fruit that I found on the back of a commode. And sometimes, that's pretty much what these magazine landscape stylists are asking you to do, they are asking you enjoy something visually, at face value, that doesn't really make sense upon further analysis.

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The yard above is undeniably beautiful, and I have had the privilege of photographing it many times over the course of many years. However, when people see this homeowner's huge, beautiful, stately, palm trees, rising up majestically over his decidedly tropical poolscape, and they think perhaps they might want something similar in their own backyard, I am always quick to dispel any misconceptions about the sacrifices involved to achieve this look in Dallas. This homeowner has the means and wherewithal to completely wrap these palm trees each and every winter before any freezing weather can ravage them, and I believe it is the only reason they are still standing today, and continue to look so great, year after year.

If you are reading this and thinking, "yeah, there's no way I'm doing all of that...," then I'd recommend finding another way to bring the illusion of the tropics to your yard. Think of these palm trees as like forbidden fruit: they look great, but come with some hidden hassles and rather involved challenges.

But hey, as the old saying goes, Anything worth having is worth fighting for! You just have to decide if you're ready for Palm Trees to be one of your battles.

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NEW VIDEO!

You've stumbled upon a brand new (short) video I just made about the designer of this yard. Lucky you!!

Just like many great storytellers and film directors, Covington's designer STEVE MALONE is able to create dramatic, engaging landscape designs in all different genres and styles: