You say potato, I say...ornamental!

There are certain rules horticulture pros tend to follow: planting in odd numbers makes for a more pleasing presentation, for example, or the fact that curved flowerbeds provide casual appeal, while straight paths and symmetrical sight lines are the hallmarks of a formal garden layout.  But there are times when it's fun to toss out any learned notions about what makes a space appealing, or what plantings are appropriate for a particular site.

An industrious friend of mine found a creative way to utilize whatever she had on hand to create a gorgeous, yet practical, garden space, starting with the humble red potato.  Having a few in her cupboard that had withered a bit, and were sprouting "eyes," she sliced the potatoes in half, soaked them in water overnight to soften them up, and planted them in a bare spot in the corner of a garden she was creating.

The result:

 Rich deep-green foliage with contrasting red stems...and nodding baby-blue blooms!  My friend often teams up the fashionable and functional, pairing items from her pantry with perennials and annuals throughout her garden.  On any given day you can spot a squash plant, sprouting a lush golden blossom, next to a dahlia; a begonia snuggling up to an allium--an ornamental onion which adds beauty to the garden while keeping the critters away.

So break the rules a bit, and let plants live on the (creative) edge.  Your garden space is limited only by your imagination.