Quiet Seating Areas

• When guests find benches and chairs within a garden, it makes the garden instantly more inviting. Creating a quiet area in the garden can be as simple as a small bench placed under a tree or a few chairs surrounded by irises. These areas of rest give you and others a place to sit in the garden where they can reflect, chat or relax. Just try to keep the look of the area as natural as possible to encourage relaxation and enjoyment.
  
  

Patios and Decks

• To add color to your deck or patio, try incorporating potted plants. Fragrant plants such as lavender or oregano will smell nice even when not in bloom. A few large trees nearby can cast areas of shade over your guests; however, you don't want too much shade or your potted plants won't thrive. An arbor of wisteria or grapes can also add shade while creating interest over your patio or deck. Select potted flowering plants based on color, either by variety or by selecting a monochromatic look, such as all white, to give a formal look to your deck or patio.
  
  

Pools

• Daylilies work well for supplying a consistent source of blooms around a pool and won't litter the surface of the water with fallen leaves or petals. Evergreen trees also work well around your pool area for this same reason and can supply shade for company that wants to sit by the water without staying in the sun.
  
  

Barbeques and Fire Pits

• Around the area of the barbeque or fire pit, use low-lying flowering plants such as pansies, with the larger flowering plants further away to keep the risk of stray fires low. If possible, select an area with a good canopy of tree cover for eating, so your guests can enjoy a tasty outdoor meal in the shade. Plant shade-loving hostas around tables or seating areas. The variegated hosta varieties are particularly attractive and make a beautiful shaded background to any barbeque.
  
  

Gazebos

• The beauty of a gazebo is often the sense of tranquility which comes with it. If you are daring enough, try creating a rose garden near your gazebo and place lilacs of various colors nearby. The lilacs will give a beautiful bloom early in the season, giving the roses time to prepare their buds for continuous flowering and fragrance throughout the season.