Spring
The border in the right hand picture is partly shaded and is therefore an ideal place to grow a mixture of evergreen shrubs. The major shrubs in the rear of the border are a Pyracantha, varigated Ceanothus, Mexican orange blosom (Choisya ternata), Elaeagnus pungens 'Maculata' and a Japanese Acer. In front of these are a selection of Azaleas, Pieris, Spiraea and Euonymus. The red leaved shrub in the foreground is Photinia "Red Robin" which has bright red leaves in spring. The solar panel in the left hand picture powers the fountain in the small pond at the bottom of the garden.
The terrace shown here contains a selection of alpine plants. The purple flowered plant in the centre of the bed is an Aubrieta. These plants are easy to look after give a bright splash of colour in spring. After they have flowerd they are cut back and then sometimes flower later in the year as well. I have laid a gravel mulch over this border to assist with drainage and to cut down on weeding (it looks nice as well).