Usually, perennials and shrubs take about three years to mature, start filling in and begin to look good.  This is year three for my flower beds. 

I did use the informal flower bed design philosophy to design my flower bed, but I also went with a sort of monochromatic planting scheme for three different areas–red in the southeast, yellow and orange in the southwest, and purple in the west.  I mixed in colors from the other planting schemes into each area to add interest, but for the most part, monochromatic is the pattern.

As you can see, there is still some growing up to do, but for the first time, I am not ashamed of the pictures of my yard.  So enjoy the beginnings of my Outdoor Living Spaces and let me know what you think!