Susan Morrison, owner and principal designer at Creative Exteriors Landscape Design, has created hundreds of gardens in California’s East Bay area. Her designs incorporate comfortable outdoor rooms into landscapes of all sizes, from hillside estates to postage-stamp front yards.

Susan’s home garden features thoughtfully arranged spaces for relaxing and entertaining enfolded in an artful, water-wise plant palette. Focal point plants in key locations draw the eye through the landscape, inviting visitors to explore. In this episode, Susan describes her thought process for siting focal point plants, and shares some of the eye-catching cultivars she uses most often.

Susan’s favorite focal point plants include:

‘Sango Kaku’ coral bark maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’, Zones 5–9)

Zebra grass (Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’, Zones 7–8)

‘Bright Star’ yucca (Yucca gloriosa ‘Bright Star’, Zones 7–11)

Whale’s tongue agave (Agave ‘Ovatifolia’, Zones 7–9)

Photos from Susan’s home garden:

An expandable outdoor table is an inviting spot for entertaining.

Placing a pot fountain near a seating area provides relaxing ambient sound as well as visual interest.

A colorful backdrop draws the viewer’s eye deep into the garden.

Planning patios, paths, and circulation areas on paper will help you work out the best solutions for your space.

Finding a spot for her favorite lounge chairs was a top priority for Susan.

Whale’s tongue agave is planted near to a path, so its beautiful color and texture can be fully appreciated.

Birds enjoying a meal at the feeder are another fun focal point in Susan’s garden.