From prickly pear cacti to spreading dwarf Dianella revoluta, the strong shapes and outlines of architectural plants can have a very strong impact to your garden. The distinctive shape of the leaves, the branches, and the growth pattern can produce interesting moods and provide character to your garden.

Architectural plants are usually large, relative to other garden plants. This size difference, however, help draw elements of style and structure from almost all angles creating more depth. Most architectural plants are hardy, evergreen, exotic-looking plants and at times hybrid ones like the hybrid strawberry tree (Arbutus x andrachnoides) or the orange-bark myrtle (Myrtus luma) who has a distinctive bark that looks and feels like suede.

Choosing architectural plant is purely a personal endeavor. However, you should at least choose plants with strong and distinctive shape of leaves and growth pattern. It is also to your advantage to pick plants that have are evergreen. This would help when during winter. With the evergreen plants and distinct bark discoloration or oddly shaped branches, you're garden would not appear dull against the winter snow.

Some of the more common architectural plants include:

Bamboos

Bamboos have their benefits. First they are generally unaffected by pests or diseases. And second, the form and texture they create is good for your garden. However, it is possible that you encounter some difficulty growing and controlling them.

Cordateria selloana or Pampas grass

Pampas grass is best planted on the edges of your garden to create texture and add to the shape of the garden. This grass has been in and out of the home gardens since the 1970s. The plant can provide a pleasing effect on your garden all year round.

Phormium tenax or the New Zealand Flax

The plant has characteristically big, evergreen sword-shaped leaves. Some have been measured to reach as long as 10 feet. The huge leaves come in green, purple or multi-colored varieties and are only appropriate to accompany a plant that can grow as large as 10-12ft across. Depending on where you would plant it, the New Zealand Flax can easily create an initial impact.

Gunneria manicata or the Giant Rhubarb

This huge perennial shrub grows in clumps in disturbed locations. Be careful with the spines that grow on the stems. The plant's are 3-6 feet wide and its flowering spikes can reach 3 feet high.

Eryngium

This is actually a genus where 230 species of annuals and perennials belong to. Eryngium plants are usually hairless and have spiny leaves. The flowers are clustered together.