Q. To cut down on the amount of lawn that has to be mowed and make the front yard look better in winter, I am going to start preparing some new beds for shrubs and perennials now so I can plant in the fall. I would like 1 or 2 kinds of shrubs, preferably evergreen, that will stay under 3 or 4 feet or that can be cut back to be that size without spoiling the plants' look. Any suggestions?

A. You are wise to cut the size of your lawn and a mixed bed of shrubs and perennials has endless potential for pleasure. Think of these shrubs as way to help define the shape of this bed. If they will be viewed from two directions, set them in the center, either as a line swirling gently or in rick-rack fashion. That way you can plant both sides of the bed with perennials.

There are many to choose from among shorter evergreens. Otto Luyken laurel rises about 3 feet, but spreads wide, to about 5 feet, and would be a good choice if those beds are quite large. Its shiny deep green leaves make a good background plant for flowers. Indian hawthorn, rising 3 to 4 feet and spreading 4 to 5 feet, makes a lovely flowering shrub with many varieties on the market. It looks good in mass, especially when the white or pink flowers bloom in spring. In full sun, this is a good alternative to azaleas, though some of the shorter ones could suit your space.

The little gardenias named Radicans are excellent plants for this climate, with lovely scented flower in early summer. The foliage is good looking and plants rise to about 2 feet, spreading to 3 feet. This plant requires patience while it settles down and starts growing, but it is a reliable bloomer and the foliage is lovely. It looks very good in beds with perennials.

Q. I would like to do a red, white and blue theme for my yard this summer. I have two extremes. I need flowers for total shade (north side) and full sun (south side).

A. Naturally there are more to choose from among the annuals for your home's sunny side: petunias in red, white and blue, white or blue angelonia, fluffy white Diamond Frost euphorbia, red salvia, verbena in all three colors and blue or white scaveola.

Since you are looking for summer bedding plants, the shady side of your house has fewer choices, though all are good. Modern New Guinea impatiens include some bright true reds and clear whites that are very fresh looking.

Bedding begonias, too, offer good choices in red and white flowers. Together, they will get you going on red and white.

The best blue is one of the torenias, a cute little trailing plant that comes in a range of blues from light to dark as well as violet.

Just a tip:

When planting your boxes, pots and baskets this spring, aim for variety. That means different textures, colors and heights to create a contained garden. That will make it interesting to look at as well as a stylish addition to your sunny deck, steps or patio.

Plant selection can be almost magical in the way it seems to increase the amount of space in a pot. Accomplish this by choosing plants that are vertical, horizontal and cascading. There is much to choose from in garden centers.

Vertical. By raising the height of a planting, they make the entire container look bigger. Aim for a vertical plant that will mature at least as high as the height of the pot. Many choices exist including salvia, abutilon, angelonia, cleome, gaura and some of the shorter ornamental grasses such as dwarf pennisetum or carex.

Horizontal. These plants form the midsection of your composition. They form mounds of color that should be the dominant hue of your container. Choices include gazania, begonias, mounding petunias, ageratum and the shorter forms of coleus.

Trailers. These sprawling plants will cascade over the rim of the container, a third way to expand the look. Many choices exist, including cascading petunias, trailing lantana, creeping jenny, verbena and calibrachoa.