Years ago, when a local restaurant asked Robin to take over its garden, she was apprehensive about her lack of experience. But she threw herself into her work, learned fast, and soon discovered a new sense of tranquility through planting and growing. "Working in the garden puts me in a Zen-like state of mind," she says. "It's relaxing and spiritual."

She now tends her own lush outdoor environment, complete with aviary, potting shed, and an abundance of flowers. To create a place of beauty and harmony, she chooses plants that attract birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. The effects are impressive.

For Robin, the gardening experience itself matters as much as the results. Her advice: be patient and savor every moment. "From beginning to end, it's all enjoyable. Nothing is worth getting stressed out about. Even weeding can be relaxing and therapeutic under the right circumstances."

No mixing, measuring or mess. Just attach to your hose and feed with the pull of a trigger.

Robin King's garden is her haven in a hectic world—a place to cultivate beauty and relaxation. She creates inviting spaces through the use of color and attractive groupings. Here are two of her special techniques.

Robin's Tip #1

Choose flower colors you love, but make sure they don't clash. Repeat colors at intervals to keep the flow going. Robin likes to plant in group of threee or five, as she feels that odd numbers are visually pleasing. To keep the series interesting, choose two plants that are similar in color and a third that's a little bit different. Robin's favorite color combinations include lots of pinks and purples with a little yellow.

Robin's Tip #2

Robin enjoys making her garden unique by creating little vignettes with whimsical touches. She has created a special vignette by using favorite plants grouped together around a birdhouse. The same effect can be achieved in your garden by planting vines near an outdoor tea table or by planting friendly daisies below your mailbox.