Many of us want our gardens to go beyond normal. You know, a shade tree, square lawn, row of shrubs along the house, and a splash of color near the front door. We want them to be special. But define special? Everyone has a different opinion about what's special and that's precisely what creates diversity and interest to set gardens apart.

For some special might be a formal sitting area, while for others it may be a more natural setting. You may prefer to take a walk through vibrant colors, while your neighbor may prefer to relax in green serenity. Whatever your preference is, make your garden special.

Shady gardens: Cool shady spots are so welcoming on blistering hot days. If your yard is sun challenged because of tall trees, then select shade loving plants. For a refreshing lift year after year, plant perennials. Astilbe, sometimes called false spirea, has fern like leaves and spires of white, pink, or red fluffy flowers. Bee balm offers fragrance and scarlet, lavender pink or white blooms in late summer. Bleeding heart with its pink heart-shaped flowers and gray green foliage flourishes in spring then dies back in summer. Ajuga is a spreading groundcover with small spikes of blue flowers. Begonias, ivy, and ferns complement each other. Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) is not in the rose family, but does bloom in winter. Its cousin, Lenten rose (H. orientalis), blooms in spring. Columbine, coral-bells, and primroses are must haves in the shade. The green and white variegated hostas provide elegance, and contrast well with the airy plants mentioned above. Annuals that brighten shady spots are coleus and impatiens. Accent with white furniture and statuary.

Rock gardens: If there's a steep slope in your yard, consider a rock garden. To avoid a helter-skelter look, start with a rough sketch of where rocks and plants will go. Combine plants that work together in color and theme. For example, cactus and Japanese maples don't mix, but cactus and succulents or Japanese maples and azaleas do. The best rocks are those that look at home in your setting, those naturally found in our area or some that harmonize with rocks used in your house or patio paving.

Cut flower gardens: If well planned, this garden will supply cut flowers for floral arrangements from early spring through late fall. Include perennials, biennials, and annuals, but set the perennials apart so their root systems won't be disturbed. Set it behind a border where the coming and going of blooms will go unnoticed or plant it in your vegetable garden. To make access to flowers easier, make a path through the garden.

Flowers for sunny spots: Carpet a corner with sun-loving wildflowers. Contain it in a white picket fence to keep it in control or let it go wild. You can get a lot of movement with wildflowers. California poppies open when the sun strikes them and close when the sun sets. Asclepias will attract butterflies. The well-known black-eyed susan spreads quickly as does the white flowered Queen-Anne's lace. Purple coneflower (Echinacea) has stiff branching stems with solitary flowers resembling black-eyed susans in shape except that the petals curve backward.

Desert gardens: Lots of heat and little water may spell disaster for some gardens, but careful selection of plants can mean an exotic view instead of a barren wasteland. Combine cactus and succulents or California natives with hardy annuals and perennials tolerant of dry soils and you'll have an exquisite arrangement of fleshy foliage and colorful blooms.

Sedums come in both trailing and upright varieties. Some are evergreen, others deciduous. Foliage is the main attraction, not flowers. Trailing sedums are often planted in crevices in rock walls or used as ground cover. Upright varieties edge perennial borders. Sempervivums (hen-and-chicks) are rosette in form and evergreen in foliage. Aloe plants can also be added. Add swashes of perennials like coreopsis, butterfly bush, felicia, gaillardia, rudbeckia, and yarrow and fill in with annuals like celosia, cornflower, cosmos, dusty-miller, salvia, sunflower, and zinnia. Dot the yard with a few trees like chitalpa, crape myrtle, and oleander. Pathways can be small rocks with flagstone or broken concrete pieces for steps.

Use your imagination: If you're creatively challenged, then consult the experts. I got ideas for this article from Better Homes and Gardens "Wildflowers and Special Gardens". There are many resources available.