By Jim McCausland, Sunset Magazine

A lifelong resident of Yakima, Washington, Joan Eakin grew up in this house. And as she’s changed, so has the front yard: at one time or another it’s been everything from lawn to vegetable garden. But these days, the theme is bold and beautiful.

It helps that she’s got a big cedar of Lebanon for a backdrop. Given the cedar's graceful, slightly spiky look, the pinkish puff of a smoke tree in front of it really stands out—and goes perfectly with the color of the Asian-flavored entry gate below it. 

That’s contorted filbert at the right, fernleaf yarrow in front, purple-flowered Salvia x sylvestris at right, and yucca at left. Simple, bold, beautiful.