A cedar planter edged by a bamboo screen makes this Chelsea terrace feel like a bower, above left. The contrasts of shapes, textures and green hues are the main elements of this design. Above center and right, the leaves of Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' seem even brighter and sharper against those of an Aquilegia 'Mellow Yellow', and the smoky-white panicles of Cotinus coggygria delineate the aquilegia seed pods.

From sun to shade: the plants towards the right edge of the planter receive part-sun, whereas the ones on the left are shaded most of the time.