Edwardian Style

Designer: Brent Beattie, Southlands Nursery

This formal, Edwardian-style obelisk can be adapted in size for both large gardens with sweeping vistas or small urban patios. Proportion and detailing are everything, says designer Beattie, who suggests finials and metal ornaments as important finishing touches. Designer's tip: Stain the entire obelisk a natural earth color such as mud gray, gray brown or gray green so that plants and structure are visually integrated.