Hello Mary.
Summers are long where I live, so we are still in the growing season for another 2 months.
Last year I designed a Japanese garden with a water basin (tsukubai), stepping stones (tobiishi) and a dry waterfall cascade (karetaki - which means dry waterfall design). I planted in some evergreen trees and Japanese maples. The garden has elements of both a Japanese courtyard garden for drinking tea and karesansui (dry landscape) elements as well. It's only 10 meter by 5 meter garden surrounded by walls on all sides (thus called a mini courtyard garden), but it's packed with lots of pretty stones, moss and greenery which are a joy to look at while drinking a morning coffee or tea.
This year, on the other side of the house, I attempted a butterfly garden for the first time. I focused not only on nectar plants, but also on gathering host plants for the butterfly to lay eggs on as well. It has been a spectacular success! I recommend planting in Heliotrope, Lantana, Buddleja (butterfly bush), butterfly weed, zinnias and orange cosmos for anyone who wants to attract butterflies to their garden. Also milkweed for the monarchs if you live in the U.S. As far as edibles, I planted in fennel, celery and parsley for both the swallowtails and for me. I also planted in broccoli and a cabbage to attract the white cabbage butterfly.
I've also planted in several different citrus trees and 4 kinds of prickly ash (which are also in the citrus family) to attract over 5 different kinds of swallowtail butterflies. I also had success growing 3 fig trees from cuttings.
I've also planted an herb garden in the parking lot that I rent. I'm growing thyme, lemon thyme, lemon verbena, lemon balm, pinneapple sage, rosemary, English lavender, apple mint, spearmint, peppermint and hyssop for herb teas.
Finally, I have a collection of bonsai trees (thus my user name) and bonsai group plantings (mini forest on a trey) that keeps increasing every year. My favorite bonsais are ezo spruce, fuji (wisteria) ,Japanese maples and azaleas.
After all that, I have no space for vegetables! LOL
